The Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) is hoping to experience a boost in the state cricket scene with former South Africa international, Lance Klusener set to join as a coach of the state team later this week.
Klusener, famous for his aggressive batting style and medium pace swing bowling, featured in over 220 games for the Proteas across ODI and Test cricket, scoring 5482 runs and nabbing 272 wickets.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, TCA vice president Timir Chanda shared that the move was a result of a series of steps taken by the new state association committee formed in October last year including infrastructure development, ramping up new facilities for players, having former cricketers in the management, and holding open trial camps for bowlers, batsmen, wicket keepers, etc.
“We advertised in end of March and asked for coaches for various teams of the state including Under-15, Under-16, Under-19, senior teams, girls teams etc. Many prominent ex-cricketers and coaches applied. Among them, we sorted few including former Australian cricketer and Sri Lankan coach, Dav Whatmore and Lance Klusener,” Chanda said.
While talks had progressed with Dav Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to the ODI World Cup triumph in 1996, he would back out at the last minute owing to personal reasons.
“We later spoke with Lance Klusener; we wanted to have him for 120 days at least. However, he agreed for 100 days since he has other commitments in South Africa and Afghanistan. That’s how it started”, the TCA chief added.
Klusener is scheduled to visit Tripura this week and train budding cricketers for 20 days.
“We all know what kind of player he was. He was phenomenal player in white ball cricket. He was man of the tournament in the 1999 World Cup. He is coming on June 02 at Calcutta and next day he would fly to Agartala. When we spoke to him about his assignments, he didn’t want any designation like head coach or director. He said he wants to share all cricketing experience with everyone including seniors team, junior team, girls teams etc. It’s a great thing. Everyone will get to know and get some experience from him.”
Dharamshala: South African cricket team player David Miller with the then batting coach Lance Klusener during a practice session, in Dharamshala, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. India and South Africa are scheduled to play their first T20 match of a three-match series on Sunday, Sept. 15. (PTI Photo/Atul Yadav)(PTI9_14_2019_000033B)
Chanda, a former state team captain had featured in 71 Ranji Trophy first class matches for Tripura, is expecting to call Klusener for another month’s time in July-August.
“We shall try to bring him for BCCI tournaments in October or December. From my side or TCA, we shall ask him if he can tour for Vijay Hazare and Mushtaq Ali tournaments and share his experiences, our team will be benefitted for sure”, Timir Chanda said, adding that having ace cricketers to assist, coaching and helping budding cricketers of the state has got cricketing community of the state very excited.
“We feel Tripura cricket has a very right future. Our committee thinks everyone will be benefitted”, the TCA executive said.
It isn’t a first instance of an international cricketer coaching Tripura state players with former India players such as Ashish Kapoor having done so before.
TCA had signed former India keeper batter, Wriddhiman Saha last year as first class captain and are hoping to retain him for the upcoming season as well.
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Tripura’s BJP-led government has been pushing for a series of infrastructure development in different sports including cricket. A flood lighting system at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Stadium at Agartala, development of cricket infrastructure in different districts are major among them. Chanda said after the international stadium is ready by next 8-10 months, plans are in the works for getting approval for hosting international cricket in the state.
“Works for gallery and media pavillion should be over by next 8-10 months as well. The outfield is already 80 percent ready; pitches would be ready by 2-3 months.
“We hope to be able to host international matches. We need some good hotels. From TCA side, we are hopeful to be host international venue. We shall speak with the BCCI, we shall need to talk with the ICC as well”, he said
Earlier this month, the state government got former Indian skipper and former BCCI chairperson Sourav Ganguly agree to be the ambassador of Tripura tourism. The former India captain went on to suggest that cricket can be a very good sector to promote tourism in the state.