Photo Credit: Adelaide Strikers
Adelaide Strikers WBBL Head Coach Luke Williams has been rewarded for his work leading one of the best women’s cricket programs in the country and has earned the role of Australia A coach for the upcoming tour of the UK.
Williams took the reins of the Adelaide Strikers side ahead of the 2019/20 season and coached the team to the WBBL|08 Championship last season.
The former Bradman Medallist also coaches the SA Scorpions and has taken them to two WNCL Finals.
Over the last few years Williams has been adding to his resume, assistant coaching in The Hundred competition in the UK for the Southern Brave.
Leading his own team overseas was the next aspect to add and he will achieve that in June and July.
“I’m delighted and grateful to have the opportunity to be involved in the program and with the tour to the UK,” Williams said.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to work with a new group of players and a new support staff that I haven’t worked with – and in overseas conditions.
“It’s another step in my coaching journey and one I’m really looking forward to.”
Williams is hoping to bring back information and tips for his new look coaching panel featuring Nicole Bolton.
“It’s an opportunity to watch a lot of the best players in Australia up close, how they prepare, how they play and what makes them tick.
“Anytime you get the opportunity to work with new players, new staff there’s learnings to be gained from that, to look for different things that might be able to be added to our program.”
Williams isn’t the only Striker who will be in the UK over winter, with four players selected in the respective Australia and Australia A squads.
He will be coaching Amanda-Jade Wellington in Australia A, while Australia regulars Tahlia McGrath, Megan Schutt and Darcie Brown will be competing for the Ashes.
Williams believes it is a great reflection of the program to have so many South Australian’s involved.
“A key pillar of our program is to produce players and support staff that are able to contribute to Australian cricket more broadly, so to have a really decent representation over that period in what’s a really exciting time with the Ashes and Australia A series is fantastic for our program,” Williams said.
“I think it will really contribute to our program moving forward.”
The Australia A tour begins on June 15 with a three-day match, before Twenty20 matches on June 22, 24 and 26 and One Day Internationals on June 28 and 30 and July 2.
