Andy Pick confirmed as Canada coach

Canadian Cricket Association (CCA) President Ben Sennik believes new national coach Andy Pick is the man to take the country towards its dream of a place in the LG ICC ODI Championship table by 2010.

"We have had that vision ever since I took over (as President) two years ago and that was before we qualified for next year's (ICC Cricket) World Cup," he said.

"It is still there and Andy's appointment is a sign we believe he will take us towards it."

Former England A fast bowler Pick, who recently coached England to the semi-finals of the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka, has initially signed on for one year and if the move works out for both parties then the hope is he will commit for longer.

"We are very happy he is joining us as his qualifications are very good but, on top of that, he has got a very special enthusiasm and is looking for a challenge," said Sennik.

"We believe he will be a great mentor to our players, especially the younger ones, he will earn respect very quickly, he has a great technical understanding of the game and he believes in a disciplined approach.

"His work with the England U/19 squad also means he is someone who should be well-suited to working with us. The players he coached there were all looking to make the next step and we are at that level too."

Pick was chosen for the role after a selection process that involved more than 40 applicants including two former ICC Full Member coaches and several former Test players.

The position is funded through grants provided to Associate Member qualifiers for the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) and managed through the ICC's High Performance Program.

ICC High Performance Manager (HPM) Richard Done was one member of an initial six-person selection panel with final `phone interviews conducted by Howard Petrook (CCA Vice President and HPM) and Elvin Pompey.

And Done said of the final choice: "In Andy Pick, Canada now has a coach whose credentials have been recognized by one of the leading Test nations.

"He has a wealth of playing and coaching experience and that will be a critical factor in lifting Canada's performance as they head towards their second appearance at a World Cup."

That experience includes 195 first-class matches, mostly for English county Nottinghamshire between 1983 and 1997, as well as two-and-a-half years as England's U/19 coach, and Pick admitted the prospect of taking the side to the ICC CWC in 2007 was a major reason for accepting the role.

But he also pointed out there was much more to the job of Canada's coach that those matches in the Caribbean in twelve months' time.

"The chance to coach a side in a World Cup is a real incentive and that is a big part of the side's calendar but there are other things to consider either side of that," he said.

"They have that vision (to get into the LG ICC ODI Championship table) but in order to do that they have to remain one of the leading Associate sides and that will bring with it plenty of pressure at other times.

"I hope to bring professionalism to the role but on top of that there are plenty of other things I can offer thanks to my time at the ECB (England & Wales Cricket Board).

"I have been there at a time when English cricket has gone from strength to strength and I have seen how that has happened.

"My job will be to sift through the reasons for that success - things such as fitness, sports psychology and different practice techniques, for example - and see what can be used in the Canadian context."

One of Pick's biggest challenges will be dealing with players that are essentially amateur meaning they will have major commitments away from the cricket field.

"That is an issue for him because all the players have to put bread on the table and that will come first for them," said Sennik.

"Another challenge is the size of our country with players spread out in Toronto, Alberta and Vancouver among other places.

"When he comes in he will have to assess that but he has got the capabilities to overcome those hurdles."

Pick added: "One of my previous roles was coaching the England amateur team so I am aware of the potential difficulties we could face.

"All I am looking for is the players to commit as much as they can because if they want to reach the level they are aiming for then that is a pre-requisite.

"We have a trip to the Caribbean in May and that will be a chance for me to start my assessment of them then."

Pick will move to Canada next month and be based in Toronto along with his family. The ECB have agreed to keep his role open for a year and he will have the chance to rejoin them if the new job does not work out for either Pick or the CCA.

Canada have a ODI tri-series against Zimbabwe and Bermuda penciled in for May 2006 and start their ICC Intercontinental Cup program with a match against Kenya in late July before further ODIs against Kenya and Bermuda the following month..