Somerset set for new coaching team

By Colin Thompson

Published Feb 18, 2012 at 6:48 am (Updated Feb 18, 2012 at 6:46 am)

Photos

Somerset?s skipper Albert Steede holds the trophy after his team retained the Cup Match crown in 2003
Albert Steede could help coach Somerset?s Cup Match team this year.

Former Western Stars cricketers Andre Manders, Jeff Richardson and Albert Steede have been linked with potential coaching roles at Somerset Cricket Club next season.

It is understood that Somerset’s hierarchy are keen to have the trio coach the club’s Cup Match team this year.

“At this stage everybody we want is not confirmed so I don’t want to call any names,” was all Somerset Cricket Club president Alfred Maybury was prepared to say when approached on the matter. “Quite a few former players have been approached but I am going to leave it there for now.

“Hopefully within the next week or so we will have something confirmed.”

Richardson has previous experience coaching Somerset’s Cup Match team while Steede and Manders are both former Somerset Cup Match captains.

Ricky Hoyte, grandson of legendary West Indies all-rounder Sir Everton Weekes, coached Somerset’s league and Cup Match teams last year. However, the Barbadian’s one-year coaching contract has since expired.

“Ricky Hoyte had a one- year contract and we have not appointed a coach as yet,” Maybury said.

It remains unclear whether or not Hoyte has shown any interest in having his contract renewed.

But it is understood that club captain Jekon Edness could be asked to coach the club’s league team during the upcoming season, with Cup Match coaching duties to be potentially shared between Manders, Steede and Richardson.

Somerset are this year’s Cup Match hosts and club president Maybury said the challengers are going all out this year to try and wrest the coveted showpiece back from champions St George’s.

“We are looking to win the game,” he declared. “Somerset has been preparing since last year.”

Maybury said the players who represent Somerset in Cup Match this year will be held to even higher standards than in previous years.

“We are expecting our players to act in a professional manner and we are going to ensure that happens,” he added.

St George’s beat Somerset by two-wickets during last year’s Cup Match classic at Wellington Oval.

The East Enders have held the coveted cup since 2005.

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Published Feb 18, 2012 at 6:48 am (Updated Feb 18, 2012 at 6:46 am)

Somerset set for new coaching team

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