Photo Credit: Cricket PNG
After retiring from all forms of professional cricket in 2021, the South Australian star swing bowler, Chadd Sayers, has joined the Barras coaching team for the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman. Sayers finished his career as the third highest wicket taker in South Australia’s Sheffield Shield history. He played one Test for Australia, and was unlucky not to have played more, having been on the fringe of selection with consistent performances at state level over many years.
National Coach Carl Sandri is excited to bring Sayers into the coaching team for the upcoming tour. “Having a quality former player, coach and person like Chadd, who has only just retired from playing at the highest domestic level in Australia, will bring knowledge, experience and professionalism to our group. We are extremely lucky to have him on board with the Barras and I’m looking forward to him having a positive impact on the squad.”
Having been coached by former Barramundis Coach Jason Gillespie for the South Australian Redbacks, Sayers quickly jumped at the opportunity to connect with Cricket PNG. “I have always picked Dizzy’s brain about cricket and I feel privileged to be able to follow in his footsteps into the coaching ranks with PNG.”
Covid brings new challenges for players and coaches alike and Sayers is excited to not only share his specialist knowledge but to also learn more in the international coaching arena. “I loved playing cricket, and this is a great opportunity to develop and give back to the game.”
Sandri is happy with how the team is developing in difficult circumstances. “We’ve been doing a lot of work with the team to prepare for World Cup, and by adding a specialist bowling coach of the calibre of Sayers into the mix, we are really starting to ramp up our preparations for The Big Dance.”
The Barramundis start their tour of the UAE and Oman on August 28 after completing the Isuzu Barras Bash, their final domestic warm up, at Amini Park.
Sayers is well aware of the challenges the Barras face and their potential. “I’m excited to see what we can do at the tournament. I know the type of cricket the Barras can play having played against them a few years ago in South Australia. The energy and passion the Barras play with is infectious and I think we can surprise the World and make PNG proud to Back the Barras!”
Name of Author: Cricket PNG
Cricket PNG, founded as the Papua New Guinea Cricket Board of Control in 1972, is the governing body for cricket in Papua New Guinea. Headquartered in Port Moresby, it became an ICC Associate Member on July 24, 1973, and is also a member of the East Asia-Pacific Cricket Council.
