Coach Dawes plotting path for cricket

SPEAKING to the PNG Media on Wednesday, newly appointed national coach, Joe Dawes, pictured, opened up about his role in not only developing the Hebou PNG Barramundis, City Pharmacy PNG Lewas, Hebou PNG Under-19 Garamuts but also the development of cricket in Papua New Guinea.
Dawes, who played first-class cricket for Queensland and Middlesex, has made his career as a coach since his playing career was cut short due to a knee injury in 2005.
“I’m a proud Queenslander and a proud former Queensland Bulls player,” Dawes said.
“Unfortunately I didn’t play for my country like Cambo (Greg Campbell) but being involved with a successful Queensland setup, winning some Shield finals was a highlight of my career,” he said.
Dawes was appointed the Indian bowling coach in 2012, then Australian women’s assistant coach and is currently the Adelaide Strikers assistant coach.
“I am very lucky in my coaching career to have worked with the Indian men’s team, which is probably one of the biggest cricket teams in the world. It was a privilege, a huge learning experience, being part of that,” Dawes said.
Dawes had worked as a consultant coach with Cricket PNG in the home ICC Intercontinental Cup (ICUP)/World Cricket League Championships (WCLC) against Scotland last October and again on the UAE tour in November where PNG played Scotland and Hong Kong.
“I was able to work with the Barramundis against Scotland at home and then again in the UAE last year.
“These experiences have shown that there are areas where the boys need to work on, but we have already started this process. We have been able to put together a good programme since I have been away during the Big Bash and in fact have brought up Liam O’Connor up after winning the Big Bash final last Sunday to help with our spinners,” Dawes said.
Cricket PNG chief executive officer, Greg Campbell was excited to have Dawes as the new national coach. “We are delighted and privileged to have a high profile coach in Joe (Dawes) for a period of two years with an option for a third,” Campbell said.
“We are very happy about that. He will be not only work with the Barramundis but will also be heavily involved with the development of the Lewas (women) and the U19 Garamuts.”
Dawes’ first assignment as the national coach will be to help the Barramundis qualify for their first ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) where they will be competing in the ICC CWC Qualifier in Zimbabwe this month.
The Barramundis travel to Brisbane today for a week-long camp, before travelling to Zimbabwe.