Kim Barnett hopes John Wright can have a similar impact with Derbyshire Falcons as he did with Mumbai Indians, who won the IPL under his stewardship in 2013.
The former India, New Zealand and Mumbai Head Coach has joined the Club as Twenty20 Specialist Coach for the 2017 NatWest T20 Blast.
His appointment is the first of its kind in county cricket and Barnett confirmed the move was only possible because of the Blast’s new place in the summer, with each county playing 14 qualifying matches in a six-week period between July 7 and August 18.
Barnett said: “We’re bringing in John Wright to try something new – new over here, anyway.
“As well as all his experience in international cricket with New Zealand and India, he knows the IPL – he won it with Mumbai Indians in his first year with them. We’re hoping he can have the same sort of impact with us
“Obviously I played with him at Derbyshire so I know him very well, so he came to mind when we decided to go for this sort of appointment. And he fancied doing it.
“He’s going to come over in June, two or three weeks before the start of the competition. We’re already talking about overseas players – and I think there are going to be some very good ones available, considering the change in structure means the Blast comes straight after the end of the Champions Trophy.
“It was because the competition is segregated that gave us the opportunity to bring in John – it’s a definite period for his contract, hopefully ending on September 2 if things go very well and we get to Finals Day for the first time.”
Wright’s Falcons have the chance to get off to a flier in the competition as less than 24 hours after their opener at Northampton, they face Yorkshire Vikings the following afternoon at Queen’s Park in Chesterfield.
“That’s always a great occasion,” added Barnett. “It sometimes feels more like a home match for Yorkshire because the ground is so close to the border and all their supporters in Sheffield and South Yorkshire.
“But that means we get big crowds, usually capacity. And on a sunny afternoon, it’s a great place to play.”
Tickets for Derbyshire’s home NatWest T20 Blast fixtures will go on sale on Wednesday 1 March. More details to be announced in due course.
Join your county cricket club today. The Club has reduced its price and simplified its categories to offer one single Club Membership at only £139 if purchased before 1 February Early Bird deadline.
