IPL 2022: Lara named Sunrisers’ strategic advisor and batting coach

Sunrisers Hyderabad have announced changes to their support staff ahead of the next IPL, bringing in the former West Indies batsman Brian Lara and former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn.

Lara has been named the strategic advisor and batting coach, while Steyn, who has played for several franchises in IPL, including the Sunrisers, and has picked up 97 wickets in 95 matches in the tournament, will be their pace bowling coach. Steyn had announced his retirement from all forms of cricket this August.

Tom Moody, who was the team’s director of cricket last season, returns as head coach following Trevor Bayliss’ decision to part ways with the franchise. Under Bayliss, Sunrisers finished last in IPL 2021, winning just three matches out of the 14 in the group stage.

Whereas Moody, a familiar name in the set-up, had coached the team for seven consecutive years from 2013 to 2019 and helped the Sunrisers clinch the title in 2016. Under Moody, the team also went past the group stages five times.

Another significant change in the revamped support staff includes the appointment of former Australia batsman and coach Simon Katich as the assistant coach, while former India batter Hemang Badani was named the fielding coach and the scout. Katich was the head coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021.

Muttiah Muralidaran continues to be the spin bowling coach for the upcoming edition.

Ahead of the mega auctions on February 12 and 13, Sunrisers had retained three players, including captain Kane Williamson, uncapped fast bowler Umran Malik and uncapped all-rounder Abdul Samad. (ESPNcricinfo)