Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain and multiple IPL-winning coach, looks set to be named as head coach of the Nottingham-based The Hundred side, Trent Rockets.
Fleming enjoyed a long association as a player with Nottinghamshire and has subsequently forged a successful career as a coach. As well as leading New Zealand to their only global tournament success at the 2000 Champions Trophy, he was captain of sides which won Test series in India, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Caribbean. As coach he was worked in the IPL, winning the competition with Chennai Super Kings three times, and BBL, and is understood to have recently confirmed that he has no interest in the England coaching position.
Fleming’s likely appointment follows news that Andrew McDonald and Mahela Jayawardene are set to be named as head coaches of Birmingham Phoenix and Southern Brave respectively. Daniel Vettori and Shane Bond are set to be named as their deputies. Shane Warne has been linked with London Spirit – the team based at Lord’s – while the Telegraph has reported that Ricky Ponting is favourite to coach the team based at The Oval. It is also understood that Vikram Solanki will be involved in that coaching set-up.
While many teams in The Hundred look set to name overseas coaching duos, Trent Rockets are keen to ensure the remainder of the team is staffed by coaches already involved with the county clubs – Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire – behind the new identify.
“Fleming has expressed an interest and we have spoken to him,” Mick Newell, director of cricket at Nottinghamshire, confirmed. “We want all the other coaches to come from this area. We think that’s the right model for this competition.”
Although many of these deals are agreed in principle, contracts are not yet signed as the counties are still in the process of negotiation their agreements with the ECB.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo