Barry James Hyam, born in Romford, Essex, is the Essex Cricket Academy Director and Men’s Second XI Head Coach. A long-standing figure at Essex Cricket, Hyam transitioned seamlessly from player to coach, earning a reputation for his dedication to player development and progression from the Academy through to the senior side.
Barry began his association with the Club as a teenager, joining the Second XI at the age of 16 in 1991. A right-handed batter and wicketkeeper, he made his first-class debut just two years later in 1993, and quickly became a respected member of the squad, known for his reliability behind the stumps and his calm presence in the middle order.
Between 1993 and 2002, Hyam represented Essex in 60 first-class matches, scoring 1,408 runs with a highest score of 63, and in 45 List A matches, he added 356 runs. During his time at the Club, Barry was an outstanding wicketkeeper, involved in 219 dismissals across all formats.
Following his playing career, Barry remained deeply connected to Essex, moving into coaching and player development. His experience as a wicketkeeper and deep technical understanding of the game made him a natural fit for youth coaching and mentoring roles.
In 2016, Barry “Baz” Hyam was appointed Academy Director at Essex County Cricket Club, succeeding John Childs. In this role, he has overseen the progression of numerous Academy graduates into the men’s senior setup, guiding emerging youth talent through the Club’s age-group system. Barry also serves as the Men’s Second XI Head Coach, where he continues to bridge the pathway between development and first-team cricket.
Although his main focus lies with the Academy and Second XI, Barry is frequently seen assisting Chris Silverwood and Tom Huggins with the Men’s First XI - whether supporting as a secondary batting coach or guiding the Club’s wicketkeepers through drills during training sessions and on matchdays.
