Following a historic and unprecedented double with Essex in 2019, Head Coach Anthony McGrath was named the ECB Coaches Association Coach Of The Year at Lord’s last Thursday.
McGrath led the side to a maiden T20 title in late September following a change in fortunes which saw the Eagles win three of their final four South Group games and go on a run which ended with a dramatic victory on the final ball against Worcestershire Rapids at Edgbaston.
Following the celebrations in Birmingham, the team headed down to Taunton to take on Somerset in the Championship decider, and McGrath’s side once again came out victorious. Following four rain-affected days, Essex skipper Ryan ten Doeschate lifted the trophy for the second time in three years to write history, as Essex became the first side to complete the T20 and Championship double in the same season.
McGrath was presented with his award by Essex Club Ambassador Graham Gooch at the annual Lord’s Long Room Christmas Lunch, and he said: “It’s a real honour to be named the ECB Coaches Association Coach of the Year.
“It’s been a great year for everyone at Essex, and this award represents the hard work everyone at the Club has done as a collective group. Everyone from the players and coaches to the commercial and community staff played their part last season and without that effort, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we did.”
