Mumbai Indians-owned MI Cape Town announced their coaching team on Thursday ahead of the inaugural SA20 player auction, which is scheduled on September 19 in Cape Town. Recently, Sri Lanka legend Mahela Jayawardene and former India pacer Zaheer Khan were appointed as Global Head of Performance and Global Head of Cricket Development, respectively, as the franchise is expanding to the SA20 league and the UAE T20 tournament.
Now, MI Cape Town has roped in former Australia batsman Simon Katich as the team’s head coach and South African legend Hashim Amla as the batting coach. Apart from the duo, current Mumbai Indians fielding coach James Pamment will take the same role on the Cape Town side, and ex-South African player Robin Peterson will be the team’s General Manager.
“It is an absolute honour to be offered the position of head coach for MI Cape Town. It is always special to put together a new team, hone skills and build a team culture. I look forward to ensuring that MI Cape Town develops into a team that leverages local talent and has MI core values at its heart,” stated Katich in an official release.
“I’m thrilled to take up this assignment with MI Cape town. Big thanks to MI owners, management and my manager for facilitating this so smoothly. From everything they have planned it looks like it’s going to be amazing platform that will attract our local talent. Bringing my experience as a player and mentor I am excited to help MI Cape Town players bring the best out of themselves and also make SA cricket stronger,” said Amla.
Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm and owners of MI Cape Town, was happy and thrilled to welcome the group of experts to the side. He mentioned the unit will work together towards developing and building Mumbai Indians’ brand of cricket.
“I’m happy to welcome Simon and Hashim on MI Cape Town coaching team. Together with James and Robin, we’ll be a team that will grow the MI brand of cricket in South Africa and bring to this cricket loving country the values and ethos MI stands for,” said Akash.
