Former West Indies bowling coach Damien Wright heads back to Tasmania, while Shawn Bradstreet takes charge of the Hobart Hurricanes’ bowling unit ahead of the new season.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Damien Wright is set to make an emotional return to Tasmania after being appointed as the state’s new bowling coach. The former Sheffield Shield-winning all-rounder will rejoin Cricket Tasmania following the completion of his stint as bowling coach with the West Indies women’s team at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Wright, who played a key role in Tasmania’s maiden Sheffield Shield triumph in the 2006-07 season, remains one of the state’s most respected cricket figures. During that historic final, he claimed eight wickets in the match and contributed a crucial 67 runs with the bat. His return strengthens a coaching network that already includes several former members of that title-winning side, such as Adam Griffith, George Bailey, Michael Di Venuto and Dan Marsh.
Speaking about his appointment, Wright expressed his excitement about returning to a place that played a significant role in his cricketing journey.
“Cricket Tasmania has always held a special place in my heart. The Tigers have played such an important role in my life, both professionally and personally, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return. I can’t wait to reconnect with the players and staff and continue to build something special for Tasmania,” Wright said.
The 49-year-old brings extensive coaching experience, including a successful four-year spell as head coach of the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL) from 2013 to 2017. During his tenure, he guided the franchise to its first-ever BBL final in the 2013-14 season.
In his new role, Wright will focus on Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup squads, working closely with head coach Jeff Vaughan to develop the state’s bowling talent.
Meanwhile, the Hobart Hurricanes have appointed experienced coach Shawn Bradstreet as their new bowling coach. Bradstreet replaces James Hopes, who recently departed to become head coach of the Sydney Sixers.
Bradstreet arrives with an impressive coaching résumé, having previously worked with Sydney Thunder under Trevor Bayliss and New South Wales alongside Greg Shipperd. He also served as bowling coach for Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket, where he collaborated with former Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes General Manager of High Performance Salliann Beams welcomed Bradstreet’s appointment, highlighting his strong technical knowledge and ability to connect with players.
“Bradstreet is highly regarded for his technical bowling expertise, tactical understanding of the game and his ability to build strong relationships with players and staff,” Beams said.
The appointments of Damien Wright and Shawn Bradstreet reinforce Tasmania’s commitment to strengthening its coaching structure as both the Tigers and Hobart Hurricanes prepare for the upcoming domestic cricket season.
