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, Damien Wright leaves West Indies role to return to Tasmania as bowling coach. The former Sheffield Shield winner is set to bring a wealth of international experience back to the Tigers, having recently concluded his tenure as the bowling coach for the West Indies during the Women’s T20 World Cup. This appointment marks a poignant return to the state where he etched his name into history.

A legacy in Tasmania

Wright’s history with Tasmania is both deep and storied. He was a pivotal member of the squad that secured the state’s first-ever Sheffield Shield title in the 2006-07 season. His contributions in that historic campaign were immense, notably taking eight wickets in the match and scoring a crucial 67 runs with the bat. It is no coincidence that nine members of that championship-winning side have gone on to forge successful coaching careers within the Australian domestic system.

By joining the current staff, Wright will be reunited with familiar faces, including 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. This concentration of talent underscores the enduring impact of that 2006-07 group on the future of Australian cricket.

Reflecting on the return

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Wright noted that Cricket Tasmania has always occupied a special place in his heart. Having previously served as the head coach of the Hobart Hurricanes between 2013 and 2017—a period during which he guided the team to their first final in 2013-14—Wright is well-acquainted with the high-performance culture in Hobart. He expressed his eagerness to reconnect with the players and staff, focusing on building a sustainable path toward future successes.

Restructuring the coaching staff

The changes in the coaching hierarchy were prompted by the departure of James Hopes, who recently accepted the role of head coach at the Sydney Sixers. While Wright will focus specifically on Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup squads, working alongside head coach Jeff Vaughan, the Hobart Hurricanes have moved to appoint Shawn Bradstreet as their new bowling coach.

Bradstreet brings a resume packed with tactical insight and technical expertise. Previously holding the same role at Sydney Thunder and New South Wales, Bradstreet has also collaborated with Ricky Ponting, the current Hurricanes head of strategy, during their time with Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket.

High expectations for the future

Salliann Beams, the General Manager of High Performance for Tasmania and the Hurricanes, highlighted the strategic importance of these appointments. She emphasized that Bradstreet is highly regarded for his technical bowling expertise and his tactical understanding of the game. Furthermore, his ability to build strong, effective relationships with both players and staff is viewed as a vital asset for the Hurricanes as they look to maintain their competitive edge in the Big Bash League.

With Wright anchoring the state’s red-ball and 50-over programs and Bradstreet taking charge of the T20 strategy, Tasmania looks well-positioned to continue its tradition of producing high-caliber cricketers and fostering a winning mentality across all formats of the game.