Former assistant coach to the Aussie women’s cricket team and the bowling coach of India, Joe Dawes, officially took on his post as head coach today with Cricket PNG's Hebou Barramundis.
Speaking to the PNG media today, the newly-appointed Cricket PNG national coach opened up about his role in not only developing the Hebou PNG Barramundis, City Pharmacy PNG Lewas, Hebou PNG U19 Garamuts but also the development of cricket in PNG.
Dawes, who played first-class cricket for Queensland and Middlesex has made his career as a coach since his playing career was cut short due to a knee injury in 2005.
“But being involved with a successful Queensland setup, winning some (Shield) Shield Finals was a highlight of my career,” said Dawes.
Dawes was appointed the Indian bowling coach in 2012, then Australian women’s assistant coach and is currently the Adelaide Strikers assistant coach, who won the Big Bash Final on Sunday against the Hobart Hurricanes.
“I am very lucky in my coaching career to have worked with the Indian men’s team, which is probably one of the biggest cricket teams in the world where I was there when Sachin Tendulkar made his hundred 100’s and then for his 200th and last Test Match.
“It was a privilege, huge learning experience, being part of the biggest rock in world cricket,” said Dawes.
Dawes had worked as a consultant coach with the Hebou PNG Barramundis in the home ICC Intercontinental Cup (ICUP)/World Cricket League Championships (WCLC) against Scotland last October, and again on the UAE Tour in November where the Barramundis played Scotland and Hong Kong.
“These experiences have shown that there are areas where the boys need to work on, but we have already started this process.
“We have been able to put together a good program since I have been away during the Big Bash and in fact, have brought up Liam O’Connor after winning the Big Bash Final on Sunday to help with our spinners,” said Dawes.
Cricket PNG CEO Greg Campbell was very excited to have Dawes as the new national coach of Cricket PNG.
“We are delighted and privileged to have a high profile coach in Joe (Dawes) for a period of two years with an option of a third,” stated Campbell.
“We are very happy about that. He will be not only work with the Hebou PNG Barramundis but will also be heavily involved with the development of City Pharmacy PNG Lewas and the Hebou PNG U19 Garamuts.”
Dawes’ first assignment as the national coach will be helping the Barramundis qualify for their first ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) where they will be competing in the ICC CWC qualifier in Zimbabwe in February/March, 2018.
The Barramundis will be travelling to Brisbane this Friday for a week-long camp before travelling to Zimbabwe.