For part one in an interview series with new Director of Cricket, Kim Barnett, he discusses the new coaching model and how it will work.
Barnett will implement the new model which includes four new roles; Director of Cricket (Kim Barnett), First XI Support Coach, Twenty20 Specialist Coach and Development Coach.
The former Derbyshire and England batsman will head up the new structure, with support from First XI Captain, Billy Godleman, who will lead the side on the field.
Speaking exclusively to derbyshireccc.com, Barnett said: “I see my role as primarily off the field. I will be in the background providing the direction and strategy to help Billy and the players be successful on the field.
“I think generally in the red-ball and 50-over cricket, Billy and the players are in charge of their own destiny. Our main focus is to make sure that these guys are playing close to their best on a daily basis for the Club and I think we can do that.
“The time has come for these guys to have the support off the field, but they need to take the responsibility and accountability to go out on the field and win cricket matches for Derbyshire.
“They will determine the style in which they wish to play in and find a way to win from there. It’s a different way of going about things, but the players are not school boys, they need to go and down their own thing.
“It is a big responsibility for Billy and he is the man for it. I would not take this on without knowing that Billy is a very strong character.
“He is a good leader, he leads from the front, he opens the batting and he has the respect of the players. He is the perfect man for this situation. I feel that we are lucky to have him.
Barnett added: “The process of filling the new coaching roles – First XI Support Coach, Twenty20 Specialist Coach and Development Coach – begins right away.
“I would particularly like the Twenty20 specialist to be sorted sooner rather than later, because it is not for me to tell that person what overseas player to sign, for instance.
“In the new structure, there is a clear separation between the longer formats of the game, and the Twenty20. It is a different set of circumstances and a different style of play that is an important and commercially-viable event.
“We will be bringing in a Twenty20 specialist that fits the bill for that competition. We have some irons in the fire as to who that may be and that would be exciting.
“The Development Coach is also important to get in quickly because the First XI coach’s role is more of a support role. The Development coach will run the Second XI, Academy and liaise with the league clubs – so it’s a big job.
“We will also have specialist support from some former world class players, similar to Matt Critchley’s session with Shane Warne last week.
“We also have Tony Palladino. He has got a great enthusiastic view of cricket and he just loves the game. I think he is perfect with his consistency over the years to be a Player/Coach and pass on his wisdom to the young bowlers.
“Ultimately, the players must take responsibility for how they play. It is their careers, it’s their style and they must be working out what they need in order to perform out there.
“Our main focus is to make sure that we support them fully and get them playing close to their best.”
