Former Calmore Sports Club all-rounder James Hibberd has been appointed Southern Vipers Assistant Head Coach and specialist bowling coach with immediate effect.

James, who played 113 Southern League/SPCL games for Calmore Sports from 1997 to 2021 as part of the 350 matches he played across his career when he subsequently joined BAT Sports and South Wilts – taking 531 wickets, the seventh most in the history of SPCL/SL – replaces 2017 World Cup winner Anya Shrubsole in the role with the highly successful women’s franchise for the Southern region.

He will assist head coach Charlotte Edwards as well as looking after the bowlers while also taking on the position of Head of Performance for the Hampshire Women and Girls teams.

It is a significent move for the 42-year-old, who has been coaching with the Vipers for a number of years but was offered the role following the retirement of Shrubsole which sees him switch from the Hampshire Hawks Academy programme and boys Pathway.

Many congratulations Hibby.