Photo Credit: Cricket NSW
The NSW Breakers have received a massive boost as they return to training with the appointment of English great Jenny Gunn MBE as an assistant coach for the upcoming season.
Gunn joins a Breakers performance staff that is led by head coach Gavan Twining and consists of assistant coach Grant Lambert, analyst Benji Hoppitt, strength and conditioning expert Sean Hardy and long-time physio Katie Ryan.
The 36-year-old will also work closely with Cricket NSW’s Pathway coaches Sarah Aley and Hannah Trethewy to help develop the next generation of Breakers.
Gunn played 259 matches for England across three formats between 2004 and her international retirement in October 2019, and is widely considered one of the greatest all-rounders of all-time. During the 2018 Women’s T20I Tri Nations Series in India, the medium pacer and batter became the first cricketer, male or female, to play in 100 T20 International matches.
Gunn said she was looking forward to reconnecting with the Breakers and helping drive personal development amongst the playing group.
“I did some coaching career development with the Breakers before the pandemic and so I am familiar with most of the players in the system,” Gunn said.
“This is something that will certainly help with the transition into this role, and I’m excited to see how far the players have progressed over the last few years.
“I’m also keen to assist with their development throughout the season to help each of them reach their potential.”
Cricket NSW Head of Elite Female Cricket, Leah Poulton, said the triple world cup winner would bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role.
“We are very excited and grateful that we have been able to bring Jenny out to work with Cricket NSW and the Breakers,” Poulton said.
“She was one of the world’s best players throughout her career and has a great way of being able to communicate what she has learnt and experienced to the players.
“Jenny is also really good at identifying and developing young players and will help with the transition of players from the Pathway level to the elite senior level.”
The Breakers began pre-season training this week, while captain Alyssa Healy, Ash Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle and Tahlia Wilson will return to the NSW set up after they return from international duties in the UK.
