DUBAI // Paul Collingwood, the former England captain, will lend his help to the UAE’s World Cup preparations at a training camp in Dubai this month.
The Durham all-rounder, who led England to the World Twenty20 title in 2010, is the best known of three ex-internationals heading here to provide specialist training for the national team.
Collingwood will act as a fielding consultant, while Paul Franks will assist the side’s fast bowlers as part of the training programme, between November 7 and 17.
Chris Read will also be here to provide tutelage for the side’s wicket-keepers, of which there are three - Swapnil Patil, Saqlain Haider, and Amjad Ali - in the regular national squad.
David East, Emirates Cricket Board chief executive, said the input from specialists will be valuable for the national team as they prepare to make their return to the big stage in February next year.
“Aaqib Javed [the head coach] and his support team have done a fantastic job getting the players ready for the World Cup,” East was quoted as saying in a press release.
“We want to ensure he has all the resources at his disposal to continue with the great progress we have seen.
“Specialist coaches are a really important part of any squad preparation for a major tournament. I’m sure these high quality individuals will add great value.”
Will Kitchen, who is overseeing the UAE’s high performance programme ahead of the World Cup, said: “Each of them has significant expertise of playing in the conditions we’re preparing our players for.
“Most importantly they are all very able coaches who will provide Aaqib with the support he needs at the level of professionalism and detail which our players have become accustomed to.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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