Cricket

Hilton Moreeng, the former South African women's cricket team head coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of the USA's senior and Under-19 women's teams. Moreeng's appointment comes after the departure of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whose contract expired in 2023.Moreeng brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as South Africa's women's head coach for over 11 years. During his tenure, South Africa reached two ODI World Cup semi-finals, two T20 World Cup semi-finals, and became the first national senior side to reach a World Cup final, at home in the 2023 T20 World Cup."I am thrilled to join USA Cricket and eager to collaborate with both current players and emerging talent," said Moreeng. "My goal is to methodically build a competitive squad capable of rivaling the best in women's cricket globally. Together, we aim to foster a culture of excellence and achievement within USA Cricket, paving the way for a successful future on the international stage."Moreeng's appointment is seen as a significant step forward for USA Cricket, which is aiming to establish itself as a competitive force in women's cricket. The team has made significant progress in recent years, qualifying for the 2023 T20 World Cup and winning the 2022 ICC Women's T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier."Coach Hilton brings a rich background and vast experience to USA Cricket having been a critical part of the transformation of South African women's cricket," said USA Cricket chairman, Venu Pisike. "USA women are also at the beginning of a transformative period with an Olympics in four years' time and we believe Hilton's successes, diverse experiences, and understanding of challenges in an emerging cricket nation is well suited for our program."Moreeng's first assignment will be to prepare the team for the 2025 U-19 Women's T20 World Cup. He will also oversee the development of the senior team, which is aiming to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Hilton Moreeng, the long-standing coach of the South African women's cricket team, has stepped down after an illustrious 11-year tenure. Appointed in 2013, Moreeng played a pivotal role in South Africa's transition to professionalism and their rise to prominence on the international stage.Under Moreeng's guidance, the Proteas Women reached two 50-over World Cup semi-finals, two T20 World Cup semi-finals, and made history by becoming the first national senior side to reach a World Cup final, which they hosted in 2023.Moreeng's assistant coach, Dillon du Preez, will take over as interim coach for South Africa's upcoming tour of India. A permanent replacement is expected to be appointed in the near future."I am incredibly grateful to CSA and management for entrusting me with the honor of coaching the Proteas Women," Moreeng said in a statement. "It has been an unforgettable journey, and I am proud of what we have achieved together."Moreeng expressed his appreciation for the players, team management, fans, and media who have supported him throughout his tenure. He acknowledged the unwavering encouragement he received, which served as a constant source of motivation.In addition to Moreeng's departure, CSA has appointed Baakier Adams as the new batting coach and Bongani Ndaba as the fielding coach. Adams previously worked with the Warriors provincial team, while Ndaba brings a wealth of experience from his time with the Titans.The changes in the coaching staff mark a new chapter for the Proteas Women as they look to build on their recent successes and continue their pursuit of excellence on the international stage.