Tuesday, January 17th, 2023

KADEER SPELL WITH YOUNG LIONS WILL ENHANCE DEVELOPMENT AS COACH

Worcestershire Head Coach, Alan Richardson, believes Kadeer Ali will develop even further as a coach during his five-week spell as Batting Coach with England Young Lions (Under-19s) in Australia.

Kadeer, Assistant Head Coach at New Road, will fly out to Brisbane with the squad today (Wednesday) for a series comprising two Youth Tests, three Youth ODIs and one Youth IT20.

He will be part of a coaching set-up comprising new Head Coach, Michael Yardy, Chris Brown (Spin Bowling Coach), Simon Cook (Fast Bowling Coach) and Chris Read (Fielding and Wicket-Keeping Coach).

Richardson said: “Really exciting for Kaddy, really pleased for him. It was a fairly extensive process he had to go through to get the role which is great.

“Some great recognition for him, and I think he is going to become a highly valued of that coaching staff.

“He spent a nice bit of time in the UAE before Christmas (at a two-week training camp), and now he has got five weeks in Brisbane, which will be fantastic, all part of his development as a coach.

“We continually ask players to push themselves and try and develop themselves, and if we don’t do that as well as coaches, it is quite hypocritical of us.

“It is a great opportunity for Kadeer, and he already came back buzzing after a couple of weeks in the UAE full of new ideas, full of new energy, and we will get the same when he comes back again.

“I know he’ll really enjoy it, and I also know the Young Lions players will love having him around.”

Richardson added: “I love watching him work, especially with the batters, so it is really exciting times for him and those Under-19 players he is going to work with.

“The big thing for all of us whenever they get those opportunities, and it’s the same with Pete Sim (Lead Strengthening And Conditioning Coach), who has been away with England, the experiences they gather is a complete development tool for those guys.

“England are asking for their expertise but they are constantly developing and coming away with new ideas, watching how people work, whether that be players, coaches or support staff.”