Cricket Australia high performance coach Troy Cooley: Darwin can rival England as premier location for cricketers in the winter months

EXCLUSIVE: Cricket Australia coach believes the Top End can challenge England as the premier destination for cricketers during their off-seasons

Cricket Australia high performance coach Troy Cooley with allrounder Cameron Green during the home Test series against India last summer. Picture. Phil Hillyard

CRICKET Australia high performance coach Troy Cooley has been so impressed with his brief assignment in Darwin, he believes the Top End can challenge England as the premier destination for cricketers during their off-seasons.

Cooley – the highly-respected former bowling coach for the Australian cricket team – has taken an all-round approach to mentoring the Cricket Australia XI during the Chamber Top End Series against NT Strike.

And he did not hesitate in saying his work in the Territory capital – alongside Test captain Tim Paine – was highly worthwhile.

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“Our top cricketers need to learn how to play in England, but they also need to learn how to play in India and the subcontinent. And the conditions in Darwin are very similar,” Cooley said.

“And when the world opens back up after Covid, hopefully Darwin can continue attracting elite players during the winter months.

“NT Cricket is doing everything possible to make that happen, so it’s a credit to everyone in the front office who have worked so hard to make this series happen.”

The Chamber NT Top End Series has attracted a who’s who of coaching experts from down south, including Cooley, Paine, CA spin coach Craig Howard and development mentor Shannon Tubb – all involved with the CA XI outfit.

BBL-winning Sydney Sixers coach Greg Shipperd has mentored the Strike team alongside Tracy Village’s Tony Judd.

The calibre of coaches – alongside high-profile players such as Chris Tremain and Jason Sangha (CA XI) and Tom Andrews and Beau Webster (Strike) – has given the series credibility across the country.

“Tim is up here to diversify his coaching skills, and bring a great eye to the group with his batting and captaincy,” Cooley said.

“And Craig is one of the best spin coaches I’ve worked with.

“We’re trying to identify a competitive group for the Under-19 World Cup in 2022, after the national championships (in December).”

Cooley believes plenty more Territory cricket can follow in the footsteps of D’Arcy Short, Jake Weatherald and Andrews, and make a living out of the game.

“You look at Tom Andrews – he’s working really hard in this series at the moment,” Cooley said.

“A lot of elite players started in the NT, and there are some great foundations in place up here. They have great conditions to improve in and go to the next level.”

Cooley has helped both England and Australian Test sides to Ashes series wins, and is highly respected around the world.

His energy for coaching is tireless.

“I love the opportunity to identify and influence young players – it’s why I get up in the morning,” he said.

“It’s a great game, and if you’re not having fun you’re in trouble.”

The Strike will take on the CA XI outfit in game three of the three-match limited overs series at DXC Arena from 1.30pm on Sunday.