Shane Deitz appointed head coach of West Indies Women

The 48-year-old, who represented South Australia during his playing career, is currently in charge of the Netherlands women's team

Shane Deitz has been appointed head coach of West Indies Women.

The 48-year-old, who represented South Australia during his playing career, replaces Courtney Walsh, whose contract was not renewed following a review conducted by Cricket West Indies in April 2023.

Deitz is currently in charge of the Netherlands women's team and will take up his new position in late August ahead of West Indies' tour of Australia in October.

West Indies Women currently sit sixth in both the ODI and T20I rankings.

They reached the semi-finals of the 2022 Women's World Cup, their second top-four finish in seven attempts, but have been knocked out in the first round of the past two Women's T20 World Cups. They had previously reached at least the semi-finals in the previous five tournaments, winning it in 2016.

^{West Indies won the T20 World Cup in 2016 and Deitz will be tasked with leading them back to the glory days [Ryan Pierse/Sean Garnsworthy/Getty Images]}

"We have a lot of work to do though as reality is we are behind the top few sides in the world and we need to bridge that gap and become competitive again to challenge for World Cups in the future," Deitz said.

"I do believe though the nucleus is there to create a world class competitive side and that is what I will aim to do. The standard of women's cricket is at an all-time high and we need to strive to reach those heights through good planning, a lot of hard work and then executing on the pitch."

Johnny Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies, added: "Shane is well equipped for the role having coached extensively in both the men's and women's game, in his native Australia, as well as other parts of the world.

"He is dynamic, energetic, and is very familiar with the requirements of the women's game. He brings the right skills and experience to drive the team and the women's game in the West Indies forward."

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