Wright back in Scotland set-up as former captain named assistant coach to Burger
Former Scotland cricket captain Craig Wright has been appointed assistant coach of the national team, replacing Grant Morgan who returned to South Africa last autumn.
Wright, 46, who played 194 times for Scotland, will work alongside head coach Shane Burger.
He will also have a role as national fast bowling lead with Cricket Scotland, working with seamers of all ages.
Wright, who played for Scotland at the Cricket World Cup in 2007 and the T20 World Cup in 2007 and 2009, said: “I have been away for a while from Scottish cricketing circles, but that has made my enthusiasm even greater now and with so much cricket in the offing for 2021 it is a really good time to come on board.
“There is a lot to aim for and I know that Shane, myself, the other members of the backroom team and the players will be putting in as much hard work as we can to realise our potential.
“I have worked with a lot of the players in the current squad before and I know the desire they have to do well for their country and really put cricket on the map.”
The coronavirus pandemic wiped out most of the Scottish cricket season last year and makes planning for the new season difficult but Burger expressed his delight at having Wright on board.
The Scotland coach said: “Craig has been involved previouslywithscotlandasaplayer
and a coach and what really has stood out to me already is his character and the fact that he is a winner.
“I am also really excited about his work as the National Fast Bowling Lead and this is a crucial role for the next few years to make sure that young fast bowlers are coming through the system and are ready to lead an attack at the top level when their time comes.”
Gus Mackay, the chief executive of Cricket Scotland, added:
“We are delighted to welcome Craig back into the set-up at Cricket Scotland. We received a huge amount of applications from across the world and interviewed a strong list of candidates. 2021 is an Important year for us and it is important that we utilise all the quality coaches we have in Scotland to develop the game at all levels.”
Meanwhile, England have recalled record wicket-taker James Anderson for the second Test against Sri Lanka,
replacing Stuart Broad in the only change to a winning side.
Broad played an important role in helping the tourists take a 1-0 lead, taking three firstinnings wickets and bowling with great control, but will make way for his long-term partner this week.
The pair, who boast 1,117 scalps between them, have long been expected to share the workload across England's six sub-continental Tests this winter, rotating the job of leading the seam attack in predominantly spinning conditions. Anderson, 38, comes in for his 157th Test having become the first paceman to reach 600 Test wickets in his previous appearance, but there are no further changes.
That means no place for Warwickshire quick Olly Stone, who had hoped to come in for Mark Wood, while Sam Curran continues in place of Chris Woakes. For Wood, it represents a vote of confidence after playing only one of England's six summer Tests.