DP World Lions Cricket have appointed former Proteas coach Russell Domingo as their new head coach.
The 48-year-old has signed a three-year deal, which will kick off on 1 July.
The brief for Domingo, according to a Lions statement is: “The retention of trophies; the unearthing of talent; the new titles; new records and the union’s vision of making better people inside and outside of the boundary ropes.”
“I am truly honoured to be part of the hugely professional and successful set-up of Lions Cricket,” said Domingo. “I absolutely cannot wait to get started, meet the players, Pride members, and entrench myself amongst this passionate family. I am thrilled to be back in the South African cricketing landscape and know that I’ll feel at home.”
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Domingo began his national coaching career with the SA under-19 team in 2004. The following year, he was head coach of the Warriors franchise and led the side to victory in the domestic one-day and Twenty20 competitions during the 2009–10 season, as well as coaching the team at the 2010 and 2011 editions of the Champions League Twenty20, with the franchise losing to the Chennai Super Kings in the final of the former.
In December 2012, Domingo was named South Africa’s T20 International coach and in May 2013 was named Proteas head coach for all formats, a position he held until August 2017. In 2019, Domingo moved on to coach Bangladesh for a further three seasons, and more recently added Netherlands to his head coach resume.
“We are immensely proud to have Russell on board,” said Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright. “He is a man that will wholeheartedly embrace and drive our ‘Lions Way’ in all that we do. He will drive our vision, he will embrace our culture and undoubtedly ensure the Lion roars louder and prouder. In conversations with him, he is equally motivated to get involved with our powerful pipeline and add value to the feeder system of the professional side. He is calm, knowledgeable and holds the game and those that play it close to his heart. I look forward to many successful seasons ahead with Russell leading the Pride.”
