Photo Credit: Hobart Hurricanes
Cricket Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes are thrilled to announce that the number one T20 brain in the world – proud Tasmanian, Ricky Ponting – will be joining the Hurricanes as Head of Strategy.
Ponting has signed a three-year deal with the male Hurricanes program which, will see him identify candidates for the now-vacant head coaching position, and work on match and list strategy with the then-appointed coach.
The former Australian Test captain needs no introduction as a player, who since retiring from the game in an on-field capacity has become one of the world’s best commentators and most respected T20 coaches.
As well as being a highly regarded pundit on Channel 7’s cricket commentary during the Australian summer, Ponting has also previously held interim and specialist coaching roles with the Australian men’s cricket team, as well as successful coaching terms with both the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Daredevils/Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Ponting said he was thrilled to be able to contribute to an organisation he felt so passionately about.
“The competition and the game itself have changed enormously from when I played for the Hurricanes back in BBL|01 and BBL|02, and I know so much more about the nuances of the T20 game now than I did then,” he said.
“I’m passionate about the progression of Tasmanian and Australian cricket across all forms of the game, so to be asked to take on such a critical role for the Hurricanes is really special.
“I’m looking forward to getting to work and securing the best coach for what we need then building a plan for the team to execute next season.
“With a few tweaks in a couple of key areas, I believe the Hurricanes have the foundations to win our first BBL trophy.”
Cricket Tasmania CEO Dominic Baker said it was great for both Tasmanian cricket and the BBL as a whole to have Ponting in the competition’s inner circle.
“To be honest, I think Ricky probably just said ‘yes’ as he was sick of me hassling him to come and join us,” Baker said.
“But really, it is such a win for not only the Hurricanes and Tasmanian cricket, but for the League itself.
“In my mind, Ricky is undoubtedly the best T20 strategist in the world, and as a proud Tasmanian, we are thrilled to have him overseeing the direction of Tasmania’s team for at least the next three seasons.”
Ponting will officially begin his tenure with the Hurricanes effectively immediately.
