Agartala, May 31: With the inclusion of former South African cricketer Lance Klusener as coach for the Tripura cricket team, the state cricket association has got a shot in the arm, the latest in line after signing Wriddhiman Saha to lead the state team.
According to Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) vice president Timir Chanda, who was himself a great cricketer in his younger days and played over 70 first class matches, not to mention his county cricket career in England, said Lance Klusener was chosen as part of an advertisement floated last year to select new coach for different teams of the state including junior team, senior team, girls team etc.
Though former Australian cricketer and former Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore was initially chosen and talks had progressed quite a lot with him, the latter backed out at the last moment due to some family emergency and the TCA requested Lance Klusener, who was next on the list, to take up the job.
“We have had a very great communication with Klusener so far. In fact, he didn’t want any big designation like head coach or director or something. He said he would share all his cricketing knowledge with all budding cricketers in our state, irrespective of junior, senior, girls teams etc”, Chanda said.
While TCA wanted Klusener for 120 days, Chanda said, the 1999 World Cup Man of the Tournament said he would give 100 days to the state since he has some other engagements at South Africa and Afghanistan as well.
TCA vice president Timir Chanda said he is hopeful of getting a major boost to the state’s cricket with Klusener as the coach and hopes to develop the sports infrastructure soon by holding open trial camps for budding cricketers.
