Bio

Adrian Victor "Adi" Birrell (born 8 December 1960) in Grahamstown, Cape Province is a former South African first class cricketer and Irish cricket coach. A leg break bowler, Birrell took 75 wickets at 30.16 in his career for Eastern Province, before turning to coaching. He was educated at St Andrew's College in Grahamstown. He led Ireland in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup where they reached the Super Eight Stage. In the tournament they beat two Test nations, Bangladesh and Pakistan as well as achieving a tie against Zimbabwe. He stepped down after the World Cup and was replaced as Ireland coach by Phil Simmons, but he continued to coach in Ireland. In 2013 he was appointed assistant national coach for South Africa. On 14th December 2018, Birrell was appointed first team coach at Hampshire County Cricket Club.