USA Cricket Women’s Coach Anand Tummala is in Australia this month as part of a professional development program and he’ll be keeping us up to date on his progress throughout the trip down under as he works with some of the best in the game.
My second leg of Australia Tour was 4 days in Sydney and 3 days at the National Cricket Center in Brisbane. In Sydney, I was with the Cricket Australia XI during their training session a day before the limited overs practice match against England and got to spend one on one time with Cricketing Legend Glenn McGrath talking about his coaching philosophy and the way he goes about his role as a Coach. Hearing to him, it showed how he kept the game simple as a player and as a Coach and has maintained doing simple things in a different way than others on a consistent basis.
I was then with the Perth Scorchers during their training session before the Big Bash League (BBL) game against the Sydney Sixers and got to spend one on one time with arguably one of the best Elite coaches in the world at present and former Australian opener, Justin Langer. He is very intense and highly passionate about coaching and has a very inspiring coaching philosophy. The importance he gives to the kind of players to be selected and the vision he has for the teams he coaches says a lot about him as a coach.
The importance he gives to people and relationships provide a great insight about him not only as a Head Coach but also as a human being. Speaking with Justin Langer and spending time with Perth Scorchers, I can very well see why Perth Scorchers team has the best record amongst all the Twenty20 Franchise Teams around the World. A superb bunch of individuals who play like a Champion Team!
I then spent a few days with Sydney Thunder Women’s BBL Team. It was excellent to work with their Head Coach Joanne Broadbent again, having worked with Joanne in the USA last year during one of the USA Women’s Cricket Combines in New York. One can sense the environment of excellence prevailing in the Thunders Team. Everyone involved is committed. Huge credit to Joanne for creating such a great environment for these elite athletes and the support staff. Thunders Captain Alex Blackwell leads from the front and sets up a very positive example for the team. Meeting and talking to international Stars Harmanpreet Kaur and Stafanie Taylor was great to understand how they go about preparing themselves. Both are very humble.
I also got to meet Australian Women’s Captain Rachel Haynes and got an insight on how she approaches captaincy and does her own bit to build good relationship with each team member. The best experience was to be in the Sydney Thunder dug out against Sydney Sixers at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), one of the most historic and iconic Cricket grounds in the world. A very special thank you to Cricket New South Wales for making this happen!
In Brisbane, I spent 3 days at the National Cricket Center as part of the Cricket Australia Rookie Camp (Under 17 Boys). These are the future stars of Australian Cricket. It was great to work with Troy Cooley (Former England and current Australian team’s bowling coach) during the bowling tests for the Rookies. To name some of the very talented coaches present during this camp – John Davison, Dan Marsh, Phil Jacques. This Rookie camp gave a good insight into the programs and pathways Cricket Australia and the States within have put together for the next generation cricketers. These Rookies are exposed to professional Nutritionists, Strength and Conditioning experts, Sports Psychology experts and Player Development experts.
USA Cricket has been welcomed with open arms everywhere I have been to in Australia thus far. I am truly humbled and honored to represent USA internationally in Australia.
My third and final leg of Australia trip will be in Adelaide and Sydney. In Adelaide I will be engaged in Cricket Australia National U15 Girls Championship as well as visit to the historic and picturesque Adelaide Oval for Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes BBL game. In Sydney, I will be at the Australia VS England 3rd One Day International cricket match @ the SCG and the Cricket Australia Annual Coaches Awards ceremony.
My next update will be in 4 or 5 days. Thanks & stay tuned!
Anand
