Ashley Wright

Guernsey Cricket Board website 17th December 2015

The Guernsey Cricket Board is delighted to announce that Ashley Wright has been appointed to the newly titled role of ‘Head of Cricket’. Ashley will take up his role early in January subject to local formalities being concluded as expected. Ash, who is 35, is currently working with Sussex CCC coaching the EPP boys and girls and working across the U9 to U17 set up there. He is also the Head of Cricket at Ardingly College where squad age groups range from 12-18 years old. In addition he is the batting consultant to the England Deaf Team. Ash has travelled extensively for his cricket education and worked with Punay Warriors in India and Melbourne Stars in Australia, amongst others. Ash began his playing career at Leicestershire CCC, as did his brother Luke (now captain of Sussex CCC), where he started as a 13 year old, joining the professional staff at 16 and was also involved at U19 level with England.

On the appointment, and the process Guernsey Cricket CEO Mark Latter commented; “We were delighted and amazed by the number and quality of the applications we received for the Head of Cricket post. This first made the selection of a shortlist difficult and then also deciding upon the best man from that final cut. Building upon the work Nic Pothas has done in the past 3 years this role was envisaged as being broader in remit covering the whole age group spectrum Guernsey Cricket covers, from bottom to top. Our goal thus was to find someone who would be credible at the junior age groups as well as with the National Squad, being able to then build a base from which the next generation of Guernsey players will come from, whilst pushing the current National Squad to even greater heights. In Ash we very much believe we have this person and have been impressed with his vision and the energy he clearly has to see this delivered.”

Complementing the appointment of Ash, the Guernsey Cricket Board are also very pleased to announce that Andy Cornford would be returning to the fold as ‘Performance Director’ having responsibility for players within the National Squad and EPP set ups. Andy was of course Head Coach before the appointment of Nic Pothas in 2013. Mark Latter added; “When Andy (Pastie) stepped down in 2012 it was always felt it was more au revoir rather than goodbye, and that he had unfinished business with Guernsey Cricket. Andy brings knowledge both of local cricket and the world of ICC to the partnership with Ash and allows us to cover all our playing commitments across the age groups in 2016 and beyond with a highly skilled team at the top. Given that both are also well versed with the Sussex CCC system we also intend to draw much more from the relationship with our County Partner. This will mean we will see far greater visibility at all levels of the opportunities afforded by working with the team in Hove.”

On his appointment Ash said; “I am both honoured and excited to get the chance to work with Guernsey Cricket we have a great team with some very talented young players coming through. I am looking forward to working with the National team and to continue developing the current pathways. I hope that both I and Andy can help to create opportunities for young cricketers while having success at the top level.” Andy Cornford said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be back involved with Guernsey Cricket. I’ve missed it. I’ve been away for 3 years but kept in touch with how things have progressed under Nic Pothas during that time. With Ash Wright coming in as Head of Cricket I think he and I can make a real difference and help further develop both the National Team and the standards of our younger players. I’ve worked with Ash at Sussex CCC and he’s a very good coach at all levels. I think he brings a lot of knowledge, enthusiasm and his own ideas and I’m excited to be working with him. 2016 is a big year for Guernsey with World Cricket League, Inter Insular and the first year playing in the Sussex League. Lots of hard work needs to be done before the season and the planning for the year is already underway”