Jeremy Bray has been named Munster Reds Head Coach, taking over at the helm from Ted Williamson.

The affable Aussie was favourite for the role, especially once former Ireland Head Coach Graham Ford didn't pursue the position.

His former international team-mate Andre Botha, now Head Coach at Balbriggan was another who opted not to apply.

Bray won 83 caps between 2002 and 2009, playing in the 2007 World Cup, scoring a century in their famous tie against Zimbabwe at Sabina Park.

The left-hander retired shorty after the 2009 T20 World Cup to pursue a coaching career, which he has done with great effect, completing his ECB Level 3 Coaching qualifications. 

Amongst his wide ranging potfolio include stints as the Ireland U19, A side, Women and youth coach. 

More recently he was Coach of Denmark and Vanuatu, before returning to Ireland to take a position at The Hills, while also acting in a consultancy role with Munster, Leinster, and Ireland U17s.

He will also maintain his role at The Hills, and is expected to begin the Munster job next week.

For the last two seasons, Ted Williamson and Pete Johnston have overseen head coach duties at the Munster Reds. Williamson will stay in a talent pathway manager role within Munster, while Johnston will revert back full-time with Cricket Ireland with expanded responsibilities.

“I'm absolutely delighted to be the new Munster Reds head coach," said Bray.

"I feel it's a great privilege and to be involved in such capacity in the provincial setup has me very excited.

"I'm also very happy to be joining forces with Ted Williamson who I have known for many years.

"Ted is such a passionate Munster man and his undoubted pride for the Munster Cricket Union will only drive me on further to achieve success on and off the field. Lastly, I am champing at the bit to catch up with all the players and management in both the Reds and the Munster Heat.

“With the Reds performing so well last year, and getting a taste of silverware, it will no doubt heighten expectations and, of course, adds that bit more pressure. I feel as a coaching group, if we continue to work with the players to improve their overall performances then hopefully the silverware will continue to stack up for the Munster Cricket Union, which I am quietly confident of doing.

“I’ve been away coaching overseas for the last eight years, so to come back and see how improved the standard of the inter-pros is was definitely an eye-opener. But I also felt so excited for Irish cricket in general to see where the standard of cricket on the pitch has come over the last decade.

"I am looking forward to working with the Munster boys to hopefully raise the bar again on where we can take our performances on the field.”