Richard Pybus appointed Cape Cobras coach

Richard Pybus has been appointed coach of South Africa's Cape Cobras franchise for the next three years. The English-born Pybus had earlier worked with the Pakistan senior team as a consultant and coach, and also had stints with Border and Titans in the South African domestic circuit.

"We are thrilled to be able to have the services of a coach of Richard's calibre," said Andre Odendaal, the CEO of Western Cape Cricket. Odendaal said Pybus was chosen after an exhaustive selection process. "We had some excellent candidates but Richard has a remarkable CV and we believe he is the right man to help the Cobras achieve the goal of winning a higher percentage of trophies, while at the same time ensuring that the Western Cape continues to develop as a nursery of talent for South African cricket."

Justin Kemp, the Cobras captain, welcomed Pybus' appointment. "It's wonderful to have a coach on board with the track record of Richard. I know the structure and discipline he will bring to the Cobras will stand us in good stead. The success he achieved at the Titans was exceptional. With his assistance and guidance, we can hopefully continue the excellent standard of cricket we played this past season, and even improve upon it."

Pybus coached the Border senior side in 1998-99, during which they reached the finals of the SuperSport Series and Standard Bank Cup. Both achievements were firsts for the province. He was appointed as a consultant to the Pakistan team in 1999, when they reached the finals of the World Cup. He returned to Border but took charge of Pakistan as head coach until after the 2003 World Cup. He was head coach for the Titans between 2005-06 and 2008-09, during which time the franchise won six titles in four seasons. He was appointed coach of Middlesex in February 2007 but five months later quit citing personal reasons. He was later named the 2009 South African Coach of the Year.