Auckland Cricket, in conjunction with New Zealand Cricket, have just added the expertise of ex-Zimbabwean International Paul Strang to their High Performance coaching staff. His position of High Performance Coach for the Auckland region represents a move by New Zealand Cricket to further enhance the resources on offer to elite cricketers that are perceived as having the potential to become future Black Caps.
Most recently of East Coast Bays Cricket Club, Strang had a distinguished career with Zimbabwe, representing his country 119 times before moving to New Zealand 4 years ago. At one stage his performances had him ranked amongst the worlds top 10 bowlers, and his innings analysis of 8–109 against New Zealand is still a Zimbabwean Test record. Although Strang admits that it will be a challenging role he is confident that his understanding of the local game, in combination with his international experience gained offshore will bring a fresh perspective to this critical stage of player development.
Strang will initially be working with a High Performance squad of 16 players who have been identified by New Zealand and Auckland Cricket High Performance staff as having the potential to play for the Black Caps. Players in this group range from established Aces like Reece Young, Rob Nicol and Martin Guptill to current New Zealand U19 representatives Jimmy Neesham and Craig Cachopa. “Each player will have different needs so the process will be slightly organic to begin with, but the bottom line is I’m here to make certain they are getting the appropriate assistance to ensure their full development as cricketers."
The following is the full list of players in the High Performance Training squad that Strang will be working with:
- Martin Guptill (Aces and Suburbs New Lynn)
- Colin de Grandhomme (Aces and Howick Pakuranga)
- Andrew de Boorder (Aces and Howick Pakuranga)
- Reece Young (Aces and Suburbs New Lynn)
- Rob Nicol (Aces and Cornwall)
- Jeet Raval (Suburbs New Lynn)
- Greg Morgan (Howick Pakuranga)
- Craig Cachopa (Takapuna)
- Jimmy Neesham (Suburbs New Lynn)
- Shaun McCann (Takapuna)
- Rory Christopherson (East Coast Bays)
- Alex Newland (Parnell)
- James Fuller (North Shore)
- William Brittain (Parnell)
- Jack Dowd (Papatoetoe)
