Current Rajasthan Royals coach Paddy Upton is to take charge of the Sydney Thunder.
The 45 year-old South African was today appointed to the role for two years, taking over from former coach Chandika Hathurusinghe.
Upton has an impressive pedigree in the world of international cricket.
A former First Class cricketer with Western Province in South Africa, Upton has a strong background in mental conditioning and leadership and began working with close friend Gary Kirsten with the South African team from 1994. After Kirsten took on the Head Coach’s role with India, Upton joined him as Assistant Coach, helping lead India to the number one Test ranking, in addition to the 2011 ICC World Cup.
Upton, continued to work with Kirsten after he re-joined the South African side in 2012, acting as Performance Director, as South Africa rose to the position of number one Test team in the world.
In 2013, Upton took up the head coaching role with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and took them from the bottom of the table to the Champions League Final in his first season.
With his forward-thinking approach, Upton is regarded as one of the most innovative coaches in world cricket.
Upton was looking forward to linking up with the Thunder: “I am extremely excited at the prospect of working with the Sydney Thunder in this year’s Big Bash. Having watched the success of the competition from afar, it will be a great opportunity and challenge to work with a talented group of players at a club that has such great potential. I’m looking forward to working closely with Mike Hussey and having seen Jacques Kallis perform so well over a long period of time, I know that he will provide a wealth of knowledge and experience to the younger Thunder players this season. I can’t wait to link up with the club and start the process of preparing the team for this year’s tournament.”
Thunder Schedule
Sunday, 21 December 2014 Brisbane Heat – Stadium Australia
Saturday, 27 December 2014 Sydney Sixers – Stadium Australia
Tuesday, 30 December 2014 Melbourne Renegades – Etihad Stadium
Thursday, 1 January 2015 Perth Scorchers – The Furnace (WACA)
Wednesday, 7 January 2015 Hobart Hurricanes – Spotless Stadium
Friday, 9 January 2015 Sydney Sixers – SCG
Monday, 12 January 2015 Adelaide Strikers – Adelaide Oval
Saturday, 17 January 2015 Melbourne Stars – Spotless Stadium
