Jonty Rhodes to join Sweden head coach post Kings XI Punjab stint in IPL
After wrapping up his stint with Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League this season, Jonty Rhodes will join Sweden cricket team as their head coach. Swedish Cricket Federation feels that the move will allow them to secure a quality coaching framework for the future sustainability of the sport.
Possibly the greatest fielder cricket has ever seen, Jonty Rhodes has been a popular name on the coaching circuit and was one of the regulars in the Mumbai Indians dressing room. After bidding a bye to the set-up for a couple of seasons, the South African has made a comeback to the IPL as the fielding coach of Kings XI Punjab for the IPL 2020. However, it seems this won’t be the last assignment for him this season, with Swedish Cricket Federation announcing him as the head coach.
"I am really excited to relocate to Sweden with my family and work together with the Swedish Cricket community. This opportunity has come at a perfect time and I am grateful to be able to invest my energies in a completely new environment. I can't wait to get started," Rhodes was quoted as saying by swedishcricket.org.
Benn Harradine, sports director of the Swedish Cricket Federation, stated that cricket is the second-fastest growing sport in the country and has seen a 300% rise in the last couple of years. He believes Rhodes’ appointment will help them achieve a certain level of growth and a quality coaching framework for the future sustainability of the sport.
"Our growth targets and key areas are directed toward junior cricket and high performance. Jonty will play a pivotal role in lifting our players as well as assisting in securing a quality coaching framework for the future sustainability of the game. I am delighted to have him as part of our small and ambitious team,” Harradine said.