Greenvale Kangaroos coach takes on role with Papua New Guinea

Respected Greenvale Kangaroos coach Damian Shanahan will tip his toe into international cricket after accepting a role with Papua New Guinea.

Greenvale Kangaroos coach Damian Shanahan has secured a role with Cricket Papua New Guinea.

The respected Premier Cricket mentor will serve as assistant coach under Carl Sandri – a former Kangaroos First XI captain – during the Barrumundis’ T20 World Cup first round campaign in Oman.

Shanahan will fly out on August 29 for three games against Australia-conquering Bangladesh, Scotland and Oman in October.

He expects to return to Greenvale early in the Premier Cricket season, leaving experienced assistant Barry Neivandt and captain Matthew Harrison to carry on pre-season preparations.

Shanahan said it was an opportunity too good to pass up but also expected it would benefit Greenvale in the long run.

“It’s brilliant, it was an opportunity too good to knock back and I can’t wait to get into it,” he said.

“Greenvale have been really supportive … I think it can be a benefit for the club as well.

“The opportunity to meet new people from all over the world, I see it as a real benefit for the cricket club.

“There’s a lot of positivity in it … the connections you can make at these types of tournaments, there’s a lot of different avenues to help the club.

“With the way COVID is at the moment I might not even miss a (Premier Cricket) game, who knows what’s going to happen in the next month.”

Kangaroos president Bruce Kent was rapt for his coach’s ability to be recognised.

“It’s a wonderful compliment to Damian and will enhance his growing reputation as a coach,” he told members.

“It will be a tremendous coaching and learning experience.

Chad Soper in action for Papua New Guinea. Picture Dean Martin

“To be in this elite group will allow Damian to fine tune his coaching skills and will inevitably result in benefits flowing back to our playing group.”

PNG are currently ranked 16th on the ICC T20 charts and the top two teams in the group will advance to face the world’s best.

The team is scheduled to face hosts Oman in the tournament-opening clash at Al Amerat Cricket Ground on October 17, followed by Scotland on October 19 and Bangladesh on October 21.

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Bangladesh are ranked 10th in the world, are coming off a comprehensive T20 series win over Australia on home soil and boast the No.1 ranked all-rounder in Shakib Al Hasan.

Scotland are ranked 14th and Oman 18th.

A second-placed finish would earn PNG matches against global powers England, South Africa, West Indies and Australia.

Shanahan said there was no reason the Barramundis couldn’t progress to the Super 12 phase.