The Hobart Hurricanes have officially appointed former Australian assistant coach Jeff Vaughan as their head coach for the upcoming BBL campaign.
The move is former Australian captain Ricky Ponting's first since becoming the head of strategy ahead of the new season.
It has been widely reported that Ponting was set to bring another formerly involved with the Australian set up - former opening batsman turned head coach Justin Langer - in for the role, but he ultimately moved in a different direction, with Ponting confirming his former teammate had other opportunities.
In another strong move from the Hurricanes to complement Vaughan, former all-rounder for both the Queensland Bulls and Australian team James Hopes has joined as an assistant coach.
Hopes has worked with Ponting in the IPL at the Delhi Capitals, where Ponting is the head coach. Hopes has served as the fast bowling coach for the franchise.
Darren Berry has also ben brought on board for the Hurricanes, having built up extensive experience on the T20 coaching circuit.
The appointment of Vaughan comes after he was appointed head coach of the Hurricanes on a staggering five-year deal during the current off-season, locking him into the Tigers until the end of the 2026-27 summer of cricket.
The Hurricanes were rocked in the recent draft lottery and will pick eighth, but Ponting said the team will try and create an environment where players want to come and play.
"What we'll try and create here at the Hurricanes is an environment where people do want to come and play – that's from administration, coaches, the senior players and right the way through (the group), that's what success is going to be based on," Ponting said at a press conference.
"If we can create an environment where players can come and enjoy themselves and learn and get better, then money is not always the be all and end all of the game."
