Johann Myburgh named as South East Stars head coach

Johann Myburgh has been appointed as the first permanent regional head coach of South East Stars, the women's centre of excellence that covers the Kent and Surrey regions in the ECB's reconfigured structure.

Myburgh, 40, takes over from Jonathan Batty, who filled the role on an interim basis during this season's inaugural Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, which was a shortened tournament due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

In a 21-year professional career, Myburgh went from being an Under-19 prodigy in his native South Africa to a potential New Zealand international after emigrating to Canterbury to begin a three-year qualification process.

But he ultimately made his home in county cricket, joining Hampshire as a Kolpak in 2010, before a T20 spell at Durham and then a four-year association with Somerset, which ended with his retirement in 2018.

Since then, Myburgh has worked as Assistant Head Coach at Sunrisers and Sydney Thunder in the WBBL. He also spent time with Somerset's men's and women's cricketers alongside his role as Head of Cricket Development at Framlingham College in Suffolk.

"I'm really proud to have been offered the role of Head Coach at South East Stars," Myburgh said. "It's an exciting time to be involved in women's cricket and I can't wait to get started.

"I'm looking forward to supporting our players at what would be the start for most, of their professional journey. I hope to forge an environment that fosters growth and encourages players to express themselves.

"Ultimately, we want to create something special and make the region proud of the way we go about playing our cricket and the behaviours we show on a daily basis, whilst advancing the women's and girl's game in Kent & Surrey."

Myburgh's appointment follows those of Tom Lister and Lettie Hadley, who were named as South East Stars' Senior Regional Talent Manager and Team Operations Manager respectively last month. A Lead Physiotherapist, and Strength and Conditioning Coach will follow in due course.

Regional Director of Women's Cricket, Richard Bedbrook, said: "I am really pleased that Johann has agreed to be the first full-time Head Coach of the South East Stars and we both now can't wait to commence building some really strong relationships amongst the staff and player groups.

"I was hugely impressed at the interview stage with Johann's commitment over the past few years in building up his coaching resume and how he has strived to ensure his coaching has delved into all levels of the game, from participation, school, county and the professional level."