Paul Franks is keen to learn from the world’s best players after being named as a coach for the Team Abu Dhabi T10 franchise.
Franks has travelled to the UAE for a short stint overseas, before returning as Nottinghamshire’s pre-season plans intensify next month.
Team Abu Dhabi, led by former Warwickshire Head Coach Dougie Brown, are to be represented on the field by the likes of Chris Gayle – and it is the chance to learn from players of that calibre which excites the Notts Assistant Head Coach.
“Every time you go away to a different competition, you want to learn – and there’s no better way to do that than to work with world-class players,” said Franks.
“The best players understand how important it is to capitalise on key moments in games – and those crucial moments get smaller as the games get shorter. It’s all about having the ability to deliver your skills under pressure.
“It’ll be great to see how that translates to the T10 format.”
Paul Franks during his time with the UAE in 2015
The former all-rounder is to be joined at Abu Dhabi by Ben Duckett, while Tom Moores and Samit Patel will represent Bangla Tigers and Lahore Qalandars respectively.
Franks believes the Green and Golds will ultimately benefit from the forthcoming broadening of his own coaching horizons.
“We’ve had a few really good years in the Blast, but we’re very much aware of our responsibility to develop as a team across all formats,” he said.
“We’re desperate to keep improving and I think this opportunity will allow me to develop by learning from the best.
“I’m looking forward to bringing some of those lessons and ideas back to pre-season over here, to help further our ambitions to be successful in both red- and white-ball cricket in 2021.”
Franks served as interim Head Coach of the United Arab Emirates in 2016, having enjoyed two previous spells on the nation's coaching staff. The stints served as the perfect introduction to the region’s cricket fanaticism.
“They’re very passionate about the game and, as we’ve seen from the IPL and international cricket that’s happened over there, they’re very good hosts,” he said.
“I’ve got some strong connections in the UAE, and I understand the conditions well, so the opportunity to work in a unique format, within an ambitious cricketing nation, is too good to turn down.”
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