Richard Pyrah, who was one of the 16 staff members dismissed from Yorkshire amid a racism scandal, is set to return to the club next month as the new head coach of the women’s team. Pyrah, who previously served as the men’s batting coach, faced significant backlash after being found guilty of using “racist and discriminatory language” towards Azeem Rafiq’s sister. The Cricket Discipline Commission imposed a two-week coaching ban and fined him £2,500 for his remarks.
Background of the Scandal
In December 2021, Pyrah was part of a group that signed a letter to the Yorkshire board, accusing Rafiq of conducting a “one-man mission to bring down the club” after he raised allegations of an institutionally racist culture at Yorkshire. Following his dismissal, the club acknowledged that his sacking had been “procedurally unfair,” leading to a settlement in 2022.
Yorkshire confirmed Pyrah’s appointment in a club statement, notably omitting any reference to his previous dismissal. Colin Graves, the club chairman, expressed enthusiasm about Pyrah’s return, stating, “We’re delighted Richard has agreed to become the head coach of our women’s team and we are very pleased to welcome him back to Yorkshire.” Graves emphasized that Pyrah stood out among a strong shortlist of candidates, highlighting his proven track record and winning mentality.
Pyrah’s Vision for Women’s Cricket
In his first comments since the announcement, Pyrah expressed his excitement about leading the women’s side, saying, “It’s an incredible honor for me to be given the opportunity to lead Yorkshire’s women’s side and it’s the proudest moment of my career.” He acknowledged the ongoing transformation in women’s cricket, particularly following the ECB’s restructuring of the women’s professional game.
Yorkshire Women will compete in Tier 2 of the revamped domestic structure in the upcoming season, alongside clubs like Derbyshire, Glamorgan, and Leicestershire. The club aims to elevate to Tier 1 by the 2026 season, and Pyrah’s leadership is seen as pivotal in achieving this goal.
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