de Winter to coach Hobart Hurricanes

Tasmania have promoted the assistant coach Allister de Winter from the ranks to helm the coaching of the Hobart Hurricanes Twenty20 team in next summer's expanded Big Bash League.

de Winter, a candidate for the Australian bowling coach position that ultimately went to Craig McDermott, has re-signed with Tasmanian cricket for two years for a role that will see him pay particular attention to the Hurricanes under the oversight of the head coach Tim Coyle.

"I'm really looking forward to this opportunity and cannot wait to get started," de Winter said. "This Big Bash League concept is extremely exciting and cricket is opening up to everyone - bringing the game to all walks of life and age groups including families, children, women and those from traditionally non-cricket backgrounds.

"Each team will have their own unique identity and colour which will ultimately reflect the competitions new innovative, edgy and exciting feel. I think once the team lists have been named around the country the rivalry will start and this league will really gain some momentum before the battles begin."

The finalisation of the MOU governing player payments has opened the door for a wave of squad negotiations, though state contracts will be thrashed out before BBL recruiting begins. Tasmanian cricket's chief executive, David Johnston, said de Winter's appointment heralded the start of promoting the Hurricanes.

"We see this appointment as continuing to develop the skills of our Tasmanian coaching staff and building on our strong coaching team for the future," he said. "We will be in a position to release the Hurricanes' contract list in the near future, which will include some of the nation's most talented cricketers as well as some exciting international signings.

"Cricket Tasmania is very much focused on building on the recent success of the entertaining Twenty20 competition and we look forward to unleashing the brand of the Hobart Hurricanes in the coming months."