ON HIS FIRST day in charge, Richard Pyrah, the Melbourne Stars’ new WBBL head coach, had a clear message: he’s coming for success.
“I’ve become involved with the Stars to be successful,” Pyrah said.
“I think the big advantage that the Melbourne Stars has got is that they've got a good core group of players, and they are the heartbeat of the team.
“But it's important to understand that we won't win a tournament with just three to four core players.
“We have to build a strong domestic core alongside them as well, which is what we're working on at the minute.
“I've got no concerns – I'm just excited by the group and being able to put things in place to bring some success.”
The Stars took some big steps forward in WBBL|11, but fell short in The Knockout against the Scorchers in Perth.
Pyrah is hoping to take the next step 12 months on.
“I feel like there's a lot of growth to be done,” he said.
Pyrah, who is currently head coach of Yorkshire women’s team, brings a wealth of experience to Melbourne, having had coaching roles in cricket programs across Australia and England for over a decade.
And his new role with the Stars is a challenge he’s excited to take on.
“It's a massive honour to be to be appointed head coach of Melbourne Stars,” he said.
“It's one of the biggest franchises in the world and in one of the best female leagues in the world as well.
“So [I’m] absolutely delighted to be involved.”
WBBL|12 won’t be Pyrah’s first stint in Australia.
He had roles as a consultant coach for the Melbourne Renegades and Adelaide Strikers men’s teams from 2015 to 2017.
While he’s familiar with the league, he isn’t too fazed by where in the world he’s coaching.
“Cricket is cricket,” Pyrah said.
“You treat people right, you build relationships and you put things in place.
“And it doesn't matter where you are in the world or where you're from, it's about building the right team and right environment to bring success.”
The 43-year-old will have a head start when it comes to strengthening those relationships, having already worked closely with a number of the Stars’ players.
“I've come across the majority of the girls, especially those core group of players,” Pyrah said.
“I've just spent four or five weeks with Annabel Sutherland in The Hundred with the Sunrisers Leeds, which has been great.
“We've built a nice relationship where we've talked about cricket, and also around the Melbourne Stars, on how we can improve and move forward.
“So, you know, building those relationships are key to me.
“And with coaching Yorkshire, we've played against Lancashire a few times, who Meg Lanning has played for, and we've had some good battles against Meg as well this year.”
While Pyrah is still busy coaching in England, he’s already looking forward to touching down in Melbourne and getting to work.
“Obviously it's going to come around pretty quick – only a couple of months away,” he said.
“The plan is to get there early October and be around for the Spring Challenge.”
Pyrah’s first match of WBBL|12 will be the Stars' season opener at the Junction Oval on Thursday, October 29.