Exclusive: Hampshire Appointment Sees Russell Domingo Juggle Dual Coaching Roles Across UK and South Africa

The newly appointed Hampshire County Cricket Club head coach, Russell Domingo, says going to the United Kingdom is an opportunity to grow as a coach, as the 51-year-old bagged a two-year deal. 

Hampshire Appointment

Domingo is a vastly experienced coach, having led South Africa's men's team for five years, between 2012 and 2017. 

In that time, the coach was involved in some iconic series victories, including South Africa's Test series victory in Australia in 2016, where Domingo led a side with a young Kagiso Rabada and Faf du Plessis in charge of the captaincy role to a 2-1 series victory down under. 

The 51-year-old also took over the head coach role for the Bangladesh men's side for two years.

During that period, Domingo led the Tigers to a 4-1 T20I series victory against Australia.

Under Domingo, Bangladesh produced world-class players, including fast bowler Taskin Ahmed. 

Here in South Africa, Domingo is currently the head coach of the Lions, a domestic team based in Johannesburg. 

Now, the 51-year-old will go apply his trade at Hampshire as head coach, with South African fast bowler Shane Burger appointed as bowling coach. 

Domingo told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview that going to Hampshire is an opportunity to grow as a coach. 

"That's a good opportunity to develop as a coach. Hampshire is a big County. The Lions are probably the biggest franchise in South Africa at the moment. Hampshire is one of the big, big counties to work for. I mean, they've had a great coach in Eddie Birrell there for seven years," Domingo told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.  

"So, he's put together really good structures. So it's sort of a good fit. So, and it's like, I mean, any coach, I think, at some stage of their careers would like to coach in Hampshire, and these opportunities don't come around often in particularly when it's with a big team like that. It's hard not to look at it seriously."

"They want to be competing for titles. So, winning is of paramount importance. So, we want to be competing for all three competitions in the fifth year of the T20 in the four days. So, not just going in sort of makes up numbers. We really want to compete in all the positions where we can win competitions."

Juggling SA & UK

Domingo will juggle the Hampshire and Lions head coach roles simultaneously. 

With the UK and South Africa being in the northern and southern hemispheres, Domingo is able to do the two jobs. 

However, Domingo highlighted that domestic cricket in South Africa has very little cricket, a feat that allows him to do both jobs simultaneously. 

"We play a little cricket domestically. That's what makes it easier because we hardly play as we play seven First-Class games per season," Domingo said.  

"I mean, my domestic team, I don't play until the end of Jan type of thing. So, we don't really play a lot of cricket here. It's just disappointing."