UAE Cricket’s Cricket World Cup campaign has received another boost with the Emirates Cricket Board appointing Paul Franks as assistant coach. 

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Joining a strong coaching team led by Aqib Javed, Franks’ appointment will support the coaching team’s ability to cover all aspects of the game during their tour of Australia and New Zealand. The role will see Franks also take responsibility of the team’s fielding preparation.

Head Coach Aqib Javed said, “Thanks to funding we are able to access (as part of our ICC High Performance Programme) we took a decision to employ the services of another quality coach to further support the team at the Cricket World Cup. 

"Paul will support the preparation of our whole squad as well as having a specific focus on fielding work. Paul was a natural, easy choice, he made a strong, positive impact during the team’s 3-week (November) training camp, the players know him, and he knows their strengths as well as the areas they need to work on. We’re looking forward to having him on board.”  

On loan to UAE Cricket from Trent Bridge based Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, Franks is part of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Level 4 – Elite Coach Development Programme.

Having recently concluded a highly successful playing career with Notts and England, which included winning the ICC U19 World Cup, Franks is now part of the coaching staff at Trent Bridge and is relishing the opportunity to work with the UAE team at the 2015 World Cup.

“It took me a while to get my head around being approached by the Emirates Cricket Board, that was flattering enough in itself, and this is a huge opportunity for me at a very early stage in my coaching development” said Franks. 

“I’ve still got a lot to learn and World Cup’s don’t come around very often, it was a decision that didn’t take long. I’m grateful to Mick Newell and the staff at Nottinghamshire for giving me the chance to go away, learn, apply myself, and I’m hoping to bring that, and more, back to Trent Bridge this summer.” 

David East, Emirates Cricket Board’s CEO commented, “We are very pleased to have Paul join the UAE team in this capacity. We have experienced Paul’s coaching and people-management skills first hand and are very comfortable with how he approaches both.

"This is a very exciting time for UAE Cricket, and it is very important for the Board that the players, and the coaching team, are supported in every way possible. We are confident that, alongside and under the guidance of Aqib (and his team) Paul’s addition will be a very beneficial one.”

Departing the Emirates on Thursday January 29, the UAE team will continue training ahead of their campaign in both New Zealand and Australia. Having been drawn in Pool B, they face Zimbabwe in their first game on February 19th, followed by Ireland (February 25), India (February 28), Pakistan (March 4), closing their Pool B games by facing South Africa (March 12).