Damien Wright leaves West Indies role to return to Tasmania as bowling coach
A homecoming for a Tasmanian legend
In a significant development for the Tasmanian cricket setup, it has been officially confirmed that Damien Wright leaves West Indies role to return to Tasmania as bowling coach. This transition follows his recent stint as the bowling coach for the West Indies at the Women’s T20 World Cup. Wright’s return is viewed as a major boost for the Tigers, bringing a wealth of experience back to the state where he first made his mark as a player.
Deep roots in Tasmanian cricket
Wright’s history with Tasmania is both lengthy and distinguished. He was a pivotal member of the squad that secured the state’s first-ever Sheffield Shield title in the 2006-07 season. His performance in that historic match—taking eight wickets and contributing a crucial 67 runs with the bat—cemented his legacy in the region. Interestingly, that specific 2006-07 squad has become a breeding ground for coaching talent. Nine members of that team have transitioned into influential coaching or administrative roles within the Australian domestic system.
Among his former teammates now in prominent roles are national men’s pace bowling coach Adam Griffith, chair of selectors George Bailey, men’s batting coach Michael Di Venuto, and women’s batting coach Dan Marsh. Wright is set to work closely with Griffith, reuniting a group that understands the unique culture of Tasmanian cricket.
Building for the future
Reflecting on his return, Wright expressed deep affection for the organization. “Cricket Tasmania has always held a special place in my heart,” he remarked. “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 brings a proven track record to his new role. He previously served as the head coach of the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL for four seasons between 2013 and 2017. During that tenure, he successfully guided the side to their inaugural BBL final in the 2013-14 season. Under the new arrangement, Wright will focus specifically on Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup squads, working in tandem with head coach Jeff Vaughan.
The Hobart Hurricanes shake-up
The restructuring also sees changes for the Hobart Hurricanes. With James Hopes departing the role to become the head coach of the Sydney Sixers, the position of bowling coach for the Hurricanes has been filled by Shawn Bradstreet. Bradstreet joins the organization with a solid reputation, having previously held coaching roles at the Sydney Thunder under Trevor Bayliss and with New South Wales under Greg Shipperd.
Bradstreet’s familiarity with high-level T20 cricket is extensive, having recently worked alongside Ricky Ponting—the Hurricanes’ head of strategy—as a bowling coach for Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket. Salliann Beams, the General Manager of High Performance for Tasmania and the Hurricanes, expressed confidence in the new appointment. “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 noted.
Strategic stability
The recruitment of both Wright and Bradstreet demonstrates a clear strategy by Cricket Tasmania to secure personnel who possess both technical acumen and a deep understanding of the Australian domestic landscape. By bringing in individuals with varied experiences, from international setups to successful BBL campaigns, the organization is positioning itself for sustained competitiveness across all formats of the game. As the domestic season approaches, the focus will now shift to how these new coaching combinations integrate with the existing squad to drive performance on the field.
