Damien Wright rejoins Tasmania as bowling coach after Women's T20 WC
Synopsis
Damien Wright's return to Tasmania closes a full circle — from Sheffield Shield winner to bowling coach of the same side. But his homecoming waits on West Indies women, who are unbeaten in the T20 World Cup, making the timing of his arrival dependent on how far they go in the tournament.
Key Takeaways
Damien Wright will return to Cricket Tasmania as men's bowling coach after completing his ICC Women's T20 World Cup duties with West Indies .
Wright has been West Indies women's assistant coach since January 2024 , focusing on fast bowling; West Indies are currently second in Group B and unbeaten.
Wright was part of Tasmania's maiden Sheffield Shield title in 2006-07 as a player and later coached the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL.
He also served as bowling coach for Punjab Kings in the IPL from March 2021 to January 2023 .
Shawn Bradstreet has been appointed Hobart Hurricanes' new BBL bowling coach, replacing James Hopes , who joins Sydney Sixers .
Damien Wright is set to return to Tasmania as bowling coach of the men's team once he concludes his current assignment with the West Indies women's team at the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup, Cricket Tasmania confirmed on Monday, 22 June. The appointment reunites Wright with the state side he represented as a player and later served in a coaching capacity.
Wright's Current Role With West Indies Women
Wright has been serving as assistant coach of the West Indies women's team since January 2024, specialising in fast bowling. His return to Tasmania is contingent on the conclusion of West Indies' campaign in the tournament. As of the announcement, West Indies sit second in Group B and remain one of only three unbeaten teams in the competition.
A Deeply Personal Homecoming
Wright, who played for Tasmania and was part of their maiden Sheffield Shield triumph in 2006-07, described the return as more than a professional move. He also previously coached the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL).
'Cricket Tasmania has always held a special place in my heart. The Tigers have played such an important role in my life, both professionally and personally, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return. I can't wait to reconnect with the players and staff and continue to build something special for Tasmania,' Wright said in a statement on Monday.
Wright also brings IPL experience, having served as bowling coach with the Punjab Kings from March 2021 to January 2023.
What Tasmania's High Performance Chief Said
Salliann Beams, Tasmania's General Manager of High Performance, highlighted the breadth of Wright's coaching portfolio. 'Wright brings valuable experience having coached in some of the world's leading T20 competitions. His background spans player development, fast bowling coaching and high-performance environments,' she said.
Wright will work exclusively with Tasmania's Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup squads alongside head coach Jeff Vaughan, and will not have a role in the BBL setup.
Hurricanes Appoint Bradstreet as New BBL Bowling Coach
With Wright's focus on the red-ball and 50-over formats, Shawn Bradstreet has been named as the Hobart Hurricanes' new bowling coach for the BBL, replacing James Hopes, who has moved to the Sydney Sixers. Bradstreet brings experience from stints with Sydney Thunder and New South Wales, and worked alongside Ricky Ponting at Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA.
The dual appointments signal a deliberate restructuring of Tasmania's coaching infrastructure across formats, with an eye on both domestic and franchise-level competition.
Point of View
And bringing in a coach with IPL, BBL, and international experience addresses a structural gap. The more interesting subplot, however, is the timing — his arrival depends on West Indies women's T20 World Cup run, meaning a deeper tournament run for West Indies directly delays Tasmania's preparation window. Cricket Tasmania's willingness to wait suggests they see Wright as a long-term investment, not a quick fix.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Damien Wright and why is he joining Tasmania?
Damien Wright is a former Tasmania cricketer and experienced bowling coach who played a key role in the state's maiden Sheffield Shield title in 2006-07. He is returning as bowling coach of Tasmania's men's team after completing his current assignment as assistant coach of the West Indies women's team at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
When will Damien Wright join Tasmania?
Wright will join Tasmania once West Indies conclude their campaign in the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup. No specific start date has been confirmed, as it depends on how far West Indies progress in the tournament.
What formats will Wright coach for Tasmania?
Wright will work with Tasmania's Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup teams alongside head coach Jeff Vaughan. He will not be involved with the Hobart Hurricanes' BBL setup, which has a separate coaching structure.
Who has replaced Wright at the Hobart Hurricanes?
Shawn Bradstreet has been appointed as the Hobart Hurricanes' new BBL bowling coach. He replaces James Hopes, who has taken charge at the Sydney Sixers. Bradstreet previously worked with Sydney Thunder, New South Wales, and Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket.
What is West Indies' current standing in the Women's T20 World Cup?
As of the announcement on 22 June, West Indies were placed second in Group B of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup and were one of three teams yet to suffer a defeat in the competition.
