VTCA 2018-19: Ex-West Indian Test opener Omar Phillips signs as Strathmore coach
TWO-TIME Test opener Omar Phillips will lead Strathmore’s push for a return to VTCA Senior Division finals this summer.
North West
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TWO-TIME Test opener Omar Phillips will lead Strathmore’s push for a return to VTCA Senior Division finals this summer.
The 31-year-old West Indian has been unveiled as the Mores’ coach for 2018-19 and will be joined at Syd McGain Oval by his compatriot Justin Bramble.
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“At the end of last season we did a pretty solid review on our current playing group,” Strathmore president Allison Dodd said.
“A lot of consultation with the playing group and our senior leadership team and identified the areas we needed to bolster.
“We have, in past years, entertained the idea of having some international players but never really went down that path.
“We felt the time was right to do it now.”
Phillips, from Barbados, featured twice for the West Indies in 2009 against Bangladesh, making 94 on debut.
The left-hander has averaged 26.6 in 57 first-class matches, while Bramble is a wicketkeeper-batsman.
The pair will bolster a Strathmore team which finished sixth in the VTCA top grade last season and only made more runs than bottom-two sides Greenvale Kangaroos and Tullamarine.
The club’s tally of 2075 runs in 2017-18 was dwarfed by premier Yarraville Club (3160) and more than 500 less than grand finalist Doutta Stars (2604).
“That’s the core objective, as a minimum, to make finals,” Dodd said.
“Every club wants to win the big one. We haven’t lost any players.
“We’ve got a really solid senior playing group and when I say seniors, I don’t just mean our First XI.”
Dodd said John Bassi would be retained as First XI skipper, while ex-Sri Lankan Test quick Chanaka Welegedara has been promoted to an assistant coaching role.
She said Phillips’ job description extended beyond achieving success in Senior Division.
“Omar has been appointed as our club coach, not solely just the senior coach,” she said. “Omar has got a fabulous background in junior development and coaching of young people. “Strathmore has always had a strong commitment and culture to our juniors.”
Dodd said Strathmore had not lost any key players as it chases its first finals appearance since 2012-13.
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