Former Australian One-day International player Michael Di Venuto has been announced as the new Australian Team Batting Coach.
Di Venuto, who played nine ODIs for Australia, is currently an assistant coach for the Tasmanian Tigers and Hobart Hurricanes, but will stand-down from the role to take up his new position ahead of Australia’s VB Tour of India.
In addition to playing for Australia in ODIs, Di Venuto played a total of 336 first-class matches, 302 one-day domestic matches and 54 T20 domestic matches representing Australia A, Tasmania, Derbyshire, Durham, Sussex and Italy.
Australian coach Mickey Arthur said Di Venuto brought a wealth of knowledge with him having played for Australia and vast experience in first-class cricket, along with sound coaching credentials since his playing career finished.
“We are delighted to have Michael on board. We wanted a batting coach who was working within Australian cricket and who had also represented Australia as a player and Michael certainly brings those two aspects to the table, as well as a wealth of experience in first-class cricket,” Coach Mickey Arthur said.
“We felt it was important that the appointed person had demonstrated coaching experience. This aligns with our coaching pathway plans which is an Argus review recommendation.
“Michael spent some time around the Test squad while we were in Hobart and again during the Commonwealth Bank Series and we were impressed with the way he went about his work and we look forward to him joining us on a full-time basis,” he said.
Di Venuto will take up the role from the start of Australia’s VB Tour of India.
Cricket Tasmania Cricket Operations General Manager Andrew Dykes congratulated Di Venuto on behalf of the Board, players and staff at Cricket Tasmania.
"Michael's national appointment is not only a great individual achievement but is another indication of the success of the structures we have in place to develop coaches and players alike at Cricket Tasmania.
"Michael will now resign as Assistant Coach of the Tasmanian Tigers and Dan Marsh will fill the role of Assistant Coach with the Tasmanian Tigers for the remainder of the current season. Dan will bring great knowledge and experience to the coaching group as the Tigers enter the business end of the season in both the Bupa Sheffield Shield and Ryobi One-Day Cup competitions," Dykes said.
First Posted 01 February, 2013 10:58AM AEST
