James Franklin, the former New Zealand all-rounder, will step in as the new fast bowling coach for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the upcoming IPL season, filling in for Dale Steyn, who opted out due to personal reasons.
Steyn, the former South African pace sensation, assumed the role of SRH’s fast bowling coach in 2022. However, he requested a break this season, and SRH, respecting his decision, granted him leave for the entire campaign.
Although Franklin played for Mumbai Indians in the 2011 and 2012 seasons, this marks his first stint as a coach in the IPL.
On the other hand, Franklin brings coaching experience from Durham in English county cricket and Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League, where he served as an assistant coach.
Joining forces with Daniel Vettori, his former New Zealand teammate who now serves as SRH head coach, Franklin’s appointment strengthens the setup. The duo previously collaborated at Middlesex in county cricket and Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred.
In other SRH developments, Pat Cummins, Australia’s World Cup and World Test Championship-winning captain, has been named the new skipper, succeeding Aiden Markram for the 2024 season.