ICC begins hunt for USA coach job
ICC begins hunt for USA coach job
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally opened an application process for new USA coach, who will officially start duty at WCL Division Four in Los Angeles later in 2016. A minimum level 2 coaching accreditation is among the qualifications listed for the top job. The role came under scrutiny following USA’s performance at the ICC World Twenty20 (T20I) Qualifier in 2015 when opener Akeem Dodson took a jibe at coach, Charlie Javed criticised for lacking a Level 1 certificate and the team’s inability to qualify for the World T20 in India in 2016. The deadline for submitting applications is July 20, according to ICC. ALSO READ:ICC to decide on T20 World Cup 2018 in Oc
According to Cricinfo, before Javed, USA had been coached on a contract basis by Robin Singh although his tenure produced ineffective moments with players. Most notable was the dispute between Singh and players Orlando Baker and Timroy Allen, who vowed never to represent USA again. Allen has not played for USA since he was vice-captain at the 2013 World T20 Qualifier, but only took part in ICC organised trials. He went on to play for a combined ICC Americas squad in January and performed well enough to earn a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) contract with Jamaica Tallawahs (JT). ALSO READ:Is ICC half-way through in making DRS, LBW appeals uncomplicated?
The top contenders for the role are Mike Young and Doug Watson. Young has built his reputation as one of the world’s premier fielding coaches, having been part of the coaching staff of three World Cup winning squads with Australia, and was also on the coaching staff of IPL champions Deccan Chargers in 2009. Young was part of the coaching team for the ICC Americas squad in January and has been heavily involved in the talent evaluation process at ICC Combines conducted around USA in 2015 and 2016.
Watson, on the other hand, is a former South African first-class player who served as assistant coach for Mumbai Indians in 2009. He served as head coach of Namibia from 2012 to 2015. ALSO READ:ICC deploy ‘Special Task Force’ to organise funds in Pakistan
A 30-man shortlist of players chosen from the recent ICC Combines is due to arrive in Florida on July 27 for a week-long USA national team camp, of which a 14-man squad is expected to be chosen for WCL Division Four.