Miles ‘over the moon’ with NZ under19 role
ADAM Miles’ coaching career is looking up.
The Otago Cricket Association talent, development and pathways manager has been appointed the assistant coach of the New Zealand under19 team.
He got the nod about ‘‘a month or so ago’’ and will travel with the team to Bangladesh and Australia later this year.
‘‘Obviously, I’m over the moon to be involved,’’ he said.
‘‘It was something that was on the radar after having been involved in the [Otago] under19 programmes for three years. To be able to work with not just the best players in the region, but the best nationally at under19 level is a pretty exciting opportunity.’’
Former Black Caps opener Peter Fulton is the head coach and Miles’ role in the side will be to provide some batting coaching and also to help the wicketkeepers in the squad. A former keeper himself, Miles played five first class games, including three for Otago, when regular gloveman Derek de Boorder was unavailable.
‘‘I’ll also be working in the mental skills space, as well,’’ he said.
Miles has a PhD in sport psychology through the University of Otago and is pleased he will get an opportunity to put some of that research into action.
‘‘I want to be able to use that as much as possible and I’m certainly using it with the Otago players. It is nice to put it into practice.’’
The New Zealand under19 team will travel to Bangladesh in April for a series of 50over games. In July there is a trip to Australia to look forward to as well.
Meanwhile, two promising Otago players have been included in a New Zealand Emerging team. Allrounder Hunter Kindley and batsman Llew Johnson have made the squad.
The team will play in a twenty20 tournament against Auckland A, Northern Districts A and a visiting Indian team.
The series gets under way in Taupo today and will conclude on Friday.