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Graham Ford

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Graham Ford
Personal information
Full name
Graham Xavier Ford
Born (1960-11-16) 16 November 1960 (age 64)
Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm off spin
RoleCoach
Relations
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1982/83–1989/90Natal B
FC debut12 November 1982 Natal B v Western Province B
Last FC6 January 1990 Natal B v Eastern Province B
Head coaching information
YearsTeam
2012–2014Sri Lanka
2014–2016Surrey
2016–2017Sri Lanka
2017–2021Ireland
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 7
Runs scored 162
Batting average 13.50
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 43
Catches/stumpings 3/–
Source: Cricinfo, 31 July 2009

Graham Xavier Ford (born 16 November 1960) is a South African cricket coach and former cricketer.

Formerly the head coach of the Sri Lankan national cricket team, he was also the head coach of the Ireland cricket team. A right-handed batsman, he played 7 games for Natal B in his career despite playing his last game seven years after his debut in 1982/83. He was a good allrounder sportsman, being a former provincial tennis champion and representing Natal at football. Ford is also a qualified rugby union referee.

Cricket coaching career

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In 1992 he became coach of Natal where he enjoyed the services of Malcolm Marshall, Clive Rice, Shaun Pollock, Jonty Rhodes and Lance Klusener. He led the province to victory in both the first class and one day trophies in 1996–97.

Ford coached the South Africa A side in 1998 in a tour of Sri Lanka and the following year was named the assistant coach of South Africa. As assistant to Bob Woolmer he coached South Africa in the 1999 World Cup where they reached the semi-finals before being eliminated by Australia. Following the tournament he replaced Woolmer as coach and led the country to victory in 8 of the 11 series that they played but having suffered back-to-back defeats against Australia he lost his job in June 2002.[3]

Ford became director of cricket at Kent in 2005. In 2006 he returned to South Africa to coach the Dolphins but left the role the same year for personal reasons.[4]

On 9 June 2007 he was offered the position of coach of the Indian cricket team, but two days later he declined the offer, citing "it was the right decision for me and my family".[5]

It was announced on 31 July 2009 that he would not be returning to Kent for the 2010 season, again citing personal reasons.[6]

In January 2012, he was appointed as the head coach of the Sri Lanka national team, replacing Geoff Marsh.[7]

In September 2013, he declined to extend his two-year term beyond January 2014 and stepped down from his post as head coach of Sri Lanka national team.[8] On 27 February 2014, he accepted the post of head coach at Surrey County Cricket Club.[9] Kumar Sangakkara, in the twilight of his career, cited Ford's presence at Surrey as a reason for him to go there in 2015 and praised his influence on Sri Lankan cricket.[10]

In January 2016, Ford was once again appointed as the head coach of the Sri Lankan national cricket team.[11] However, Sri Lanka Cricket contracted Ford until 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, his second tenure ended after 15 months in late June 2017.[12]

In September 2017, Ford was appointed as Ireland's head coach initially on a three-year contract but his contract with Cricket Ireland was further extended by three years in 2019.[13] During his tenure as the head coach of Ireland men's national cricket team, he oversaw a transitional phase with the team. Ireland also eventually received the ICC test status during his coaching stint and Ireland played in as many as 101 international matches under his guidance.[14]

In November 2021, he resigned from the position of Ireland head coach citing bio-bubble fatigue, mental health concerns and family commitments.[14][15][16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Heartbreaker Ford announces himself on Irish stage". Cricket Europe. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Inter-Provincial Cup: Lightning beat Knights in Comber opener". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  3. ^ South Africa sack coach Ford
  4. ^ Ford released from Dolphins contract
  5. ^ Ford turns down India job
  6. ^ "New coaching structure at Kent County Cricket Club". Kent County Cricket Club. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
  7. ^ "Graham Ford appointed Sri Lanka coach". ESPNcricinfo. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  8. ^ "Ford to step down as Sri Lanka coach". Wisden India. 18 September 2013. Archived from the original on 28 January 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  9. ^ “Fantastic to be here" – Graham Ford Archived 6 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine from Surrey County Cricket Club. Retrieved 27 February 2014
  10. ^ Fernando, Andrew Fidel (13 December 2014). "Sangakkara firm over ODI retirement". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 December 2014. Playing for Surrey is something that I really want to do as well. Graham Ford is there. I've worked with Fordie, and he's been brilliant for Sri Lankan cricket, and personally to me.
  11. ^ "Graham Ford confirmed as Sri Lanka's new head coach after Surrey stint". The Guardian. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  12. ^ "Ford steps down as Sri Lanka coach". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  13. ^ "Graham Ford to take over as Ireland head coach". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  14. ^ a b "Graham Ford resigns as Ireland head coach ahead of USA, West Indies tours". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Graham Ford steps down as Ireland head coach after 102 internationals in charge". Sky Sports. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  16. ^ "Ireland head coach Ford to step down". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
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