James Micheal “Mickey” Arthur is a former South African and Australian coach and a former cricketer as well. Mickey Arthurs’s most recent stint as a coach was his affiliation with the Pakistan Cricket team. He was in charge of the national team from May 2016 to August 2019. During the course of these three years, Mickey’s performance, as a coach, had seen many ups and downs.
The national team itself despite showing mountains of potential under Mickey’s watch was only able to perform average. Mickey is now in the front running to be the new head coach of the Sri Lankan cricket team.
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Mickey Arthur’s achievements as a coach:
As we have pointed out earlier, under Mickey’s watch, there was indeed a sense of optimism among the fans. As we expected high performances from the team. The early success at the start of his tenure surely tells the same story. Arthur joined Pakistan in May 2016 and after a drawn series in the tough English conditions lifted Pakistan to the NO.1 test side in the world. What followed was even more amazing, the next year Pakistan lifted the champions trophy beating India in a one-sided final.
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The team’s extraordinary performance was proof that finally, Pakistan Cricket is adopting the modern fast-flowing game. Mickey was off course credited for this new revolution. However, that’s when everything started going downhill. Pakistan a favorite for world cup’s did not even qualify for the finals.
The performances of our main players seemed to drop. There was news of the coach not getting a lot with some of the senior players. Some of Mickey’s decisions were also criticized. The sudden disruption prompted PCB not to renew his contract. In August 2019, he was relieved of his duties.
Also Read: Umar Akmal Lashes Out At Coach Mickey Arthur But There’s A Twist In The Story!
Mickey’s new role:
According to ESPN Cricinfo, Mickey Arthur has agreed to a two year deal with the Sri Lankan Cricket board. An announcement is expected to be made shortly. He would also bring along with him a backroom staff of Grant flower as the batting coach. David Sacker and Shane McDermott as the bowling and fielding coach respectively. Mickey Arthur’s appointment by the Sri Lankan Board confirms their intention to bring about a complete overhaul in the region’s cricketing setup.
As we know that modern cricket is a completely new ball game. It is fast flowing and tactically there’s is a lot more on the table now then it was back in the times. It is very important to adapt to these changes. England Australia and India are already way ahead in this matter. It is the minnows that have struggled.
The involvement of Mickey will certainly help them break into form again. Sri Lanka is expected to visit Pakistan for the world test series in December. With Mickey sitting at the coach’s chair, it will certainly be an interesting match-up. Given that he know’s so much about Pakistan and its cricket.
