Titans part ways with coach Chris van Noorwdyk

The Titans franchise will not be renewing the contract of head coach Chris van Noorwdyk for the upcoming season. van Noordwyk was in charge for two seasons, during which the Titans failed to win any silverware.

van Noordwyk succeeded former Pakistan coach Richard Pybus, who enjoyed a succesful five-year stint with the Titans. Under Pybus, the Titans won seven trophies, including three SuperSport Series, two MTN domestic titles and two Pro20s. Pybus quit in July 2009, which gave van Noordwyk, who was then his assistant, to move up to coach at the franchise level.

"During his tenure as coach of the Northern Cricket Union Amateur team and Titans assistant coach, Chris had the unique ability to identify players who came through the system to play at a higher level," Andy O'Connor, chairman of the Easterns Titans board said. "We appreciate the contributions that Chris has made and wish him well in the future."

van Noordwyk, who was born in Durban, has done all his administrative work at the Titans. Before he was appointed coach, he was the Titans' cricket coordinator and was responsible for identifying and developing talent. Youngsters like Roelof van der Merwe and Farhaan Berhardien came through at that time. While youth flourished, when van Noordwyk took over as coach, the Titans lost some of their key players such as Dale Steyn, who moved to the Cobras, Imran Tahir, who went to the Dolphins and Paul Harris, who joined the Lions.