Bulls coach bowls ’em over with smooth start

NEW Queensland coach Wade Seccombe is going beyond the call of duty to create a cricketing environment he hopes can replicate Darren Lehmann’s time at the Bulls.

Seccombe, a former Bulls wicketkeeper, was thrust into the role of coach after the sudden departure of Phil Jaques for family reasons in May.

And he has already left his mark on the side, secretly calling all the players’ wives and sending each a gift as part of a pre-season bonding strategy.

“It was just a good old-fashioned stitch-up,” Seccombe said. “I threw it on the players as a surprise to meet the Queensland Cricket board and told them to dress up.

“When they arrived I said we’re not meeting the board, we’re going to the pub and those who are married, don’t worry I’ve already touched base and sent your wives a bot- tle of wine. The ladies loved it and the guys had done all the hard work at training and now it’s about being relaxed and refreshed.”

Queensland batsman Joe Burns said Seccombe, who was part of the coaching team when Lehmann led the Bulls and Brisbane Heat in 2011-12, had inherited some of his traits.

But Seccombe does not compare himself to the current Australian coach, saying he has always had that attitude to cricket.

Seccombe was behind the stumps when Queensland won the state’s first Sheffield Shield title in 1994-95 – the first of his five titles with the Bulls – and is aware of what players need to be successful.

“I’m not modelling myself off Darren, but I do like that approach, it’s always been my approach,” he said.

“I want them turning up to training with smiles on their faces.”