Former player Andy Flower has attained great heights for Zimbabwe in international cricket. He was one of the versatile allrounders in cricket’s history. From his wicketkeeping to leadership, he has been the best in every role.
The former cricketer is now ready to coach the IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab for the upcoming edition in the UAE. As it would be his first experience to play the role of a coach in the cash-rich league, he has shared how he would be approaching the format.
Andy Flower is currently in the Caribbean as the head coach of St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He has also the experience of coaching in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He would bring his experience and acumen as a coach in the IPL 2020 edition.
Andy Flower on T20 experience:
In the recent interview, on being questioned that the big coaching names have found franchise cricket, including IPL as a tough format, how he would approach the T20 league. Flower answered that analyzing the various aspect closely is the way to win the leagues.
“I have had three main experiences in T20 franchise cricket. The first was with Peshawar Zalmi in PSL, four-five years ago, where I was the assistant coach to Mohammed Akram. In the latest PSL, I was the head coach at Multan Sultans.
“I think the game has moved on in a number of ways. Certainly, the way analysis is used and valued now. I think some of the analysis is helping coaches and captains understand the game in a slightly different way. It’s a healthy thing. It will be a part of the game, innovating and developing,” Andy Flower said while talking to Hindustan Times
Andy Flower added that in franchise cricket coaching is more like managing the players. He said that the players need to assure and made them feel confident to make quick on the spot decisions.
“In franchise cricket, it’s more managing a group of players than perhaps coaching them; making them feel confident and ready for on-the-spot decision making that is becoming quicker and quicker, and more necessary as the game speeds up,” he added.
Meanwhile, IPL 2020 is set to be played from 19th September and the grand finale of the league will be played on 10th November.