Team Abu Dhabi head coach Paul Farbrace is back
I really want to win the tournament, said Farbrace.
Cricket PassionEditor
Posted - 2022-09-24T13:36:00+06:00
Updated - 2022-09-24T13:36:00+06:00
Paul Farbrace will return as Team Abu Dhabi's head coach for this year's Abu Dhabi T10, to be played from 22nd November to 4th December at the Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub.
Abu Dhabi: Paul Farbrace returns as Team Abu Dhabi's head coach for this year's Abu Dhabi T10, taking place from 22 November to 4 December at the Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub. Farbrace spent five years in the England men's setup before joining Warwickshire as Director of Sport, guiding Team Abu Dhabi to third place in the 2021 edition.
He and former England international Sarah Taylor will both be back in the Abu Dhabi T10's sixth season in the home franchise side at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Taylor moved the needle for women coaches in men's professional football when she joined Team Abu Dhabi last year and will serve as Farbrace's assistant. Ottis Gibson, who has previously worked with the likes of the West Indies, England, Bangladesh and South Africa, will head up the bowling department, while former Zimbabwe international Grant Flower has been brought in as batting coach.
"I thought it was a good game," said Fabrese on his T10 debut in Abu Dhabi last season. "I was looking forward to it and it turned out to be a fantastic game. You get some of the best players in the world, some of the best coaches, it's a good combination.
“Sarah did a fantastic job last year and I love her enthusiasm and energy within the team. I look forward to seeing her continue to expand over the past year and I think this year she will bring more innovation and have an even greater impact on the team.
“We also have Otis and Grant, who have worked at the highest end of the sport, have vast experience and have an infectious passion for the game. I think as a coaching team we've all managed to build a world-class setup over time that any player can use."
Sean Anderson, Abu Dhabi General Manager added: “I'm delighted to have Paul back with us for the upcoming tournament. We share similar philosophies in approaching the T10 format and the types of players and personalities we need. All in all good. It's an exciting start to the new season and I'm confident we have the right people on board to ensure we're in the mix by the end of the game."
Farbrace's team won seven out of ten matches in the league stage of the Abu Dhabi T10 2021, but lost both the second qualifier and the elimination match saw them miss out on a place in the final.
Team Abu Dhabi eventually secured third place and have already strengthened their squad by signing the
powerful duo of Australia's Chris Lynn and West Indian's Fabian Allen, looking to move up to the top this time.
England internationals Phil Salt and Jamie Overton have been signed, as has Afghan ace Naveen-ul-Haq.
The Team Abu Dhabi think tank will complete the roster for the Official Player Draft on Monday 26 September and Farbrace already has their sights set on guiding the tournament hosts to their first title. "I really want to win it," said Farbrace. "I want to win, I love to win, I hate to lose. And I think we have a group of people who share that attitude."
Full Team Abu Dhabi coaching staff: Paul Farbrace (head coach), Sarah Taylor (assistant coach), Ottis Gibson (bowling coach), Grant Flower (batting coach), Oscar Nauhaus (skills coach), Hassan Cheema (analyst), Ajantha Wattagama (physio)