Highly respected UK coach Salliann Briggs to replace Julia Price as Roar and Hurricanes coach

CRICKET Tasmania has turned to England to find the next coach to lead the WNCL and WBBL programs into the professional era.

New Roar and Hobart Hurricanes WBBL coach Salliann Briggs with Cricket Tasmania CEO Nick Cummins. Picture: ADAM SMITH

CRICKET Tasmania has turned to England to find the next coach to lead the WNCL and WBBL programs into the professional era.

Highly respected UK coach and experienced player Salliann Briggs was this morning named as the coach of the Roar and Hurricanes on a three-year deal.

She replaces Julia Price, who did not have her contract renewed following a tough 2017-18 campaign.

Briggs played 114 limited overs and 28 Twenty20 matches during her career — primarily for Yorkshire — before carving out a successful coaching career.

The 34-year-old is a former England Women’s Academy head coach and England under-19 head coach, but has more recently been the head coach at the UK’s world-leading sports institution of Loughborough University.

“I’m delighted to be appointed as head coach of Cricket Tasmania’s women’s teams,” said Briggs, who arrived in Hobart last night and met CT officials today.

“I’m looking forward to bringing my knowledge and passion to both squads, alongside my experience with sport science and specialist coaching, to help these cricketers achieve their full potential.

“I’m proud to play a part in such an exciting time for Australian women’s cricket in general, and I can’t wait to start working with the teams and hopefully attract even more females to the sport with our on-field performances.”

Briggs will look to make a permanent move to the state in the coming months.

CT chief Nick Cummins said there was strong interest in the position and believes the organisation has found the perfect candidate to take both programs forward.

“She has a proven track record in building successful cricket programs and developing players, and is highly regarded by some of Australia’s leading players, including Ellyse Perry, who played under her at the Loughborough Lightning in the Kia Super League,” Cummins said.