Strikers’ BBL approach impresses Di Venuto

Tasmanian Michael Di Venuto has been thoroughly impressed with the Adelaide Strikers’ relaxed but confident environment, his first experience on the inside of a Big Bash League club.

Former Australian batting coach Michael Di Venuto. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

MICHAEL Di Venuto has been thoroughly impressed with the Adelaide Strikers’ relaxed but confident environment, his first experience on the inside of a Big Bash League club.

Di Venuto, formerly Australia’s batting coach and now the head coach of English county Surrey, was arguably the Strikers’ most important recruit in their title defence.

The Tasmanian, who Steve Smith credits for helping him develop into the world’s best batsman, is working as an assistant coach at the franchise that boasts Alex Clarey, Jake Weatherald, Jake Lehmann and other young talents. “I’ve missed (home) a little bit. I was quite keen to have some sort of involvement in the BBL,” Di Venuto told AAP.

MORE NEWS:

INCAT FAST-CAT BUILT FOR SPEED

ACCOLADES FOR OUR PERFECT ROSE

HALLS ISLAND A TEST CASE FOR RULE SETTING

BEST PICTURES OF THE WEEK

“When Dizzy (head coach Jason Gillespie) asked me if I had any interest, I jumped at it.

“To work in the Australian system again and get back to being an assistant, the opportunity to get one-on-one time in the nets with these blokes and do a lot of work on batting was really exciting.

“Dizzy is a pretty relaxed character and runs a pretty good ship. I’ve been really impressed with the environment and all the guys.

“They’re reigning champions and they’re quite confident.” The Strikers, who defeated Brisbane Heat in the BBL season opener, host Melbourne Renegades at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Alex Carey, Australia’s limited-overs keeper, will be out to back up a match-winning knock of 70 at the Gabba.

Congrats @JackDiv01 👍 https://t.co/GMuka1FYPx

— Michael Di Venuto (@MjDiVa5) 8 December 2018

“He played beautifully,” Di Venuto said.

“I’d seen bits and pieces of him on TV, from last year’s Big Bash and also for Australia. I’ve now spent some time with him over the last week and a half, closely watching the way he goes about things.

“He’s an impressive young man, highly skilled and highly talented.” Weatherald suggested Di Venuto’s mentorship would help take the Strikers’ batsmen to another level.

“He’s someone who is rated very highly as a batting coach, and a coach in general. It’ll be great to get his take on life and his take on cricket and batting,” Weatherald said prior to the start of the season.