Melbourne Stars Name Richard Pyrah as New WBBL Head Coach Ahead of 2026-27 Season

Melbourne Stars have appointed Richard Pyrah as their new head coach for the Women's Big Bash League ahead of the 2026-27 season. The 43-year-old takes over the role as part of a restructuring at the club and within Cricket Victoria's coaching framework. Incumbent Andy Christie will transition to an assistant coach position with Stars while continuing as head coach of Victoria in the Women's National Cricket League.

Pyrah brings extensive experience across both women's and men's cricket programmes. He is currently in his third season leading Yorkshire's women's programme and recently worked as an assistant with Sunrisers Leeds in the women's Hundred competition this season. Earlier in his career, Pyrah served in consulting roles with Melbourne Renegades and Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League between 2015 and 2017, giving him prior experience in Australian domestic cricket.

"He is an experienced coach across both women's and men's programs and will bring a diverse skillset to the team," Stars general manager James Rosengarten was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.

Christie's move to an assistant role was announced in July to allow him to concentrate fully on his responsibilities as Victoria's WNCL head coach. Last season, Christie guided Stars to the knockout stage of the WBBL, where they were eliminated by Perth Scorchers. His transition creates space for Pyrah to lead the Stars' push in the upcoming competition.

Pyrah's appointment carries added significance given his recent work with Sunrisers Leeds in the Hundred. Stars captain Annabel Sutherland was named Player of the Season at Sunrisers Leeds after the team reached the Hundred final, where they lost to Trent Rockets. The continuity of working with Sutherland and other Victorian players across different competitions was highlighted as a key benefit of the appointment.

"He already coaches a number of our players across the Victorian women's team, so to have that continuity leading into the WBBL season will be an asset for us," Rosengarten continued.

The restructuring at Melbourne also extended to the Renegades, who appointed Gavan Twining as their WBBL head coach. Twining, an assistant coach with the Australian women's national team, replaced Simon Helmot, who departed to take a coaching position with Gulf Giants in the ILT20. These changes reflected broader shifts in Australian women's cricket coaching appointments ahead of the 2026-27 season.