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Paul Strang
Paul Strang
Paul Strang
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Paul Andrew Strang (born 28 July 1970) is a Zimbabwean cricket coach and former international player. A leg-spinning all-rounder, he played in 24 Test matches and 95 One Day Internationals for Zimbabwe between 1994 and 2001. He played Test cricket alongside his brother, Bryan Strang; their father, Ronald Strang, was a first-class umpire and was TV umpire for two of Zimbabwe's Test matches in 1994/5.

Key Information

Strang has since moved into coaching, joining the Auckland Aces as a high performance coach in 2008,[1] and becoming the full-time coach soon afterwards.[2]

Domestic career

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He played two seasons of county cricket as an overseas player, firstly for Kent County Cricket Club in 1997 and then for Nottinghamshire in 1998.

International career

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Strang studied at the University of Cape Town, and toured Pakistan with the Zimbabwe side in 1993/4. He played his first Test in 1994, and became a professional cricketer in 1995. He was one of the leading wicket-takers in the 1996 Cricket World Cup in India, taking 12 wickets with a bowling average of 16, although the team was knocked out in the preliminary stage, beating Kenya (with Strang taking 5 wickets) but losing its other 4 matches.

Strang scored his only Test century in the 1st innings of the 1st Test against Pakistan at Sheikhupura in 1996–7, batting at No. 8, including a stand of 87 with his brother for the 9th wicket. He also took 5 wickets in Pakistan's 1st innings in the same match. Strang's achievement was overshadowed by a double century, 257 not out, scored by Wasim Akram, and the match was drawn.[3]

He played in the 1999 Cricket World Cup in England, where Zimbabwe beat Kenya, India and South Africa to qualify for the "Super Six" stage. His best Test bowling figures of 8–109 came against New Zealand in the 1st innings at Bulawayo in 2000–1, although Zimbabwe lost the match by 7 wickets.[4] His remain the best bowling figures by a Zimbabwean in an innings in Test cricket (the best match figures belong to Adam Huckle). He only played in three further Tests, with his international career curtailed in 2000 by a chronic injury to the muscles of his right hand.

Records

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  • Strang is the only Zimbabwean Test cricketer to take ten wickets in a match and still end up on the losing side of a test match.[5]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Paul Strang

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Paul Andrew Strang (born 28 July 1970 in , ) is a Zimbabwean cricket coach and former international cricketer, renowned as a leg-spin all-rounder who represented in and One Day International (ODI) matches during the . Strang made his first-class debut for Zimbabwe B against in March 1993 and quickly rose to international prominence, debuting in Tests against at in October 1994, where he claimed 3 wickets in the match. His ODI debut followed in December 1994 against in Perth. A right-handed lower-order batsman and right-arm leg-break bowler with a repertoire including googlies, Strang was noted for his fighting spirit, superb fielding, and ability to perform under pressure, contributing significantly to Zimbabwe's competitive edge during their golden era in . Among his career highlights, Strang scored a Test century and took 5 wickets in the match against in during the 1996/97 season, while in the 1996 , he emerged as one of the tournament's top wicket-takers with 12 scalps at an average of 16 across 6 matches. He also achieved a career-best haul of 8 wickets in an innings against in September 2000. Beyond international , Strang played in , securing 63 first-class wickets for in 1997 and 30 for in 1998, though his contract with the latter was terminated after one season. His final international appearance came in 2001, after which he transitioned into coaching, including roles with Zimbabwe's Under-19 team at the 2000 and later as of the Auckland Aces in from 2009 to 2013, after which he continued in development and education roles in .

Early life

Birth and family background

Paul Andrew Strang was born on 28 July 1970 in , then (now ). He grew up during Zimbabwe's post-independence era, which began in following the end of minority white rule. Strang is the elder son of Ron Strang, a who later became a first-class , and his wife, in a family that relocated within the country due to his father's profession. His parents fostered an interest in sports by engaging in backyard games and enrolling him in coaching courses from a young age. He has a younger brother, Bryan Strang, who also pursued a as a Zimbabwean international cricketer. The brothers shared a supportive sibling relationship without rivalry, growing up in a sporting household that emphasized physical activity and .

Introduction to cricket

Paul Strang's introduction to cricket occurred during his school years in the Bulawayo region of Zimbabwe, where he was born on 28 July 1970. He attended near Esigodini as a boarder, an institution known for its fast, lively pitches conducive to young cricketers' development. Initially, Strang focused on batting, often opening at number three in the school team, reflecting his early aptitude as a right-handed batsman. A pivotal moment came during his youth when Strang accompanied his father, Ron, to a coaching course. There, he observed former South African Test cricketer Peter Carlstein demonstrating the art of leg-spin , which profoundly inspired Strang to switch from pure batting to . This exposure led him to adopt a style characterized by slow, high-flighted leg-breaks, marking the beginning of his transition into an . His family's encouragement in sports, including backyard practice sessions with his brother Bryan, further nurtured this passion. In his early in , Strang honed his skills with teams such as Old Hararians Under-16 and Manicaland, refining his role as a leg-break bowler while maintaining his batting prowess. These formative experiences solidified his identity as a versatile , setting the foundation for his future in the sport without venturing into senior competitive play at this stage.

Playing career

Domestic cricket

Paul Strang made his first-class debut for Zimbabwe B against at the Old Hararians Sports Club in on 30 March 1993. He then made his debut in Zimbabwe's domestic competitions for Country Districts during the 1993/94 season. He quickly established himself as a promising , contributing with both and leg-spin bowling in the Logan Cup, the country's premier first-class tournament. Strang represented Country Districts from 1993/94 to 1995/96 and then played for the amalgamated side from 1994/95 to 2000/01, where he honed his skills against strong provincial opposition. Following the 2000 restructuring of Zimbabwean into new provincial teams, he switched to Manicaland for the 2001/02 and 2002/03 seasons, continuing to perform reliably in Logan Cup matches despite occasional injuries. His versatility as a right-handed batsman and leg-break bowler with a made him a key asset in these competitions. Beyond , Strang played in . In 1997, he represented , taking 63 first-class wickets. He joined for the 1998 season, securing 30 first-class wickets in 13 matches, though his contract was terminated after one season. Over his overall first-class career (excluding Tests), Strang scored 2,774 runs at an average of 30.10, including three centuries and seventeen fifties, with a highest score of 154. He claimed 254 wickets at an average of 30.65, securing seventeen five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket match totals, with his best bowling figures of 8 for 109. These consistent all-round contributions were instrumental in earning him international selection for .

Test cricket

Paul Strang made his Test debut for Zimbabwe on 26 October 1994, in the third match against at , at the age of 24. In his first appearance, he claimed three wickets, marking the beginning of his role as a leg-spin bowler in the longest format. Over the course of his Test career, Strang played 24 matches between 1994 and 2001, capturing 70 wickets at an average of 36.60, with his best innings figures of 8/109 achieved against in Bulawayo during the 2000/01 series—the finest single-innings haul by a Zimbabwean bowler at the time. As a lower-order batsman, he contributed 839 runs at an average of 27.06, showcasing resilience in challenging situations. Strang's standout batting performance came in his only Test century, an unbeaten 106 against at in October 1996, during which he also took five wickets in the match, becoming one of only 18 players to achieve a century and a in the same . His all-round abilities were particularly evident in key series, such as the 1998 home encounters against , where he provided crucial support in both disciplines amid competitive draws, and the 2001 series versus , contributing to Zimbabwe's efforts in a transitional phase for the team. Strang's Test career concluded after the one-off match against in in September 2001, following a period hampered by chronic injuries to his bowling hand and a shift in team selection dynamics. He formally retired from in February 2002, citing persistent physical issues as the primary factor.

One Day International cricket

Paul Strang made his One Day International (ODI) debut for against at the in Perth on 2 December 1994, where he claimed 3 wickets for 36 runs to contribute to a narrow 5-run victory for his team. Over the course of his ODI career, which spanned from 1994 to 2001, Strang played 95 matches, establishing himself as Zimbabwe's primary leg-spin bowler in the limited-overs format with 96 wickets at an average of 33.05 and an economy rate of 4.37. His best bowling figures came in the 1996 , where he took 5/21 against at , helping restrict the opponents to 134 all out in a match won by 5 wickets. Strang's standout performances in the ODI arena were particularly evident during the 1996 World Cup in and , where he emerged as one of the tournament's leading wicket-takers with 12 scalps in 6 matches at an average of 16.00, including notable spells such as 4/40 against . Although he served as a reserve for in the 1992 World Cup without playing a match, Strang featured prominently in the 1999 edition in , appearing in 6 games and taking 3 wickets while providing lower-order stability. Across all three s, he contributed 15 wickets in 12 matches, underscoring his value in high-pressure, limited-overs scenarios for a developing cricketing nation like . His ability to extract turn and variation on subcontinental pitches made him a key asset in containing aggressive batting line-ups. With the bat, Strang scored 1,090 runs in ODIs at an average of 22.24, often batting in the lower middle order to accelerate or rescue , with a highest score of 47 against in 1998. These contributions highlighted his all-round utility, complementing the batting potential he demonstrated with a Test century against in 1996. Strang's ODI career concluded with his final appearance against in on 26 November 2001, where he bowled 10 overs for 42 runs without a in a rain-affected match.

Post-playing career

Coaching roles

After retiring from international cricket in 2002 due to a chronic injury to the muscles in his right bowling hand that ended his playing career, Paul Strang transitioned into coaching, drawing on his experience as a leg-spin bowler to mentor emerging talent. Strang began his coaching journey in 2007 as head coach of Auckland A, New Zealand's developmental team, partnering with former Black Cap Matt Horne as assistant coach for the national provincial A tournament in Christchurch. In this role, he worked with a squad featuring promising players like Martin Guptill and Colin de Grandhomme, emphasizing skill-building for young cricketers. In 2008, Strang joined Cricket as high-performance coach, focusing on youth development programs and techniques for , including sessions where he shared insights on leg-spin variations and adaptation. He soon advanced to full-time of the Aces in 2009, leading the team to domestic titles in subsequent seasons and continuing to prioritize evolving bowling skills, as he highlighted in a 2011 where he stated that "a good bowler is someone who keeps evolving." His playing background as a Zimbabwean spinner directly shaped this approach, integrating tactical strategies into team training. Strang stepped down as head coach of the Auckland Aces at the end of the 2012–13 season. He continued in coaching and talent development roles in Auckland, including as a network coach and manager of coaching and talent development. In 2013, Strang took on an international assistant coaching role with the Papua New Guinea national team, the Barramundis, under head coach Peter Anderson, supporting their preparations for ICC tournaments and focusing on performance enhancement in limited-overs formats. As of 2024, he serves as a PE and Commerce teacher and Director of Future Sport at Westlake Boys High School in Auckland.

Contributions to Zimbabwe cricket

Following his retirement from international cricket in 2002, Paul Strang provided insightful commentary on the challenges facing Zimbabwean cricket, particularly in a 2011 interview where he reflected on the rapid decline after the departure of key experienced players. He noted that the 10-12 years of hard work invested in building a competitive team had been undone in mere months due to the loss of core talents, emphasizing the fragility of progress in the sport amid administrative and talent retention issues. Strang highlighted the importance of work ethic as a foundational element for recovery, stating that rebuilding required sustained effort, especially for spinners who must "love bowling" and commit to extensive practice to evolve their skills. Strang expressed optimism about Zimbabwe's team prospects around the time of their return to in 2011, describing the side as "heading along the right track" despite acknowledging there were "no easy solutions." He pointed to the scarcity of quality fast bowlers following the retirements of , , and Eddo Brandes, but praised emerging talents like and Brian Vitori as promising prospects who needed time to mature. In terms of , a area close to his own expertise, Strang commended the development of , whom he had informally mentored starting at age 16, describing him as talented yet initially wayward before his strong showings, including in the 2011 World Cup. Throughout media appearances, Strang voiced a strong desire to return to and contribute to the national setup, leveraging his experiences from the successful era of the to assist in revitalizing the team. However, he cited family commitments in and cultural adjustments as barriers to such a move, underscoring his ongoing emotional ties to Zimbabwean despite his coaching roles abroad.

Personal life

Family and relocation

Paul Strang is married to an English woman and has a family. His younger brother, Bryan Strang, was a fast bowler who represented in 49 One Day Internationals between 1995 and 2001, retiring from in December 2001; the brothers were frequently compared in media coverage for their contrasting styles and joint appearances in 14 Tests and 25 ODIs together. Following his retirement from playing in 2001 due to a chronic hand injury, Strang relocated from first to and then to in the mid-2000s, where he settled in to pursue coaching opportunities, including roles with the Auckland Aces starting in 2008. He maintains close ties to Zimbabwe, where his parents and brother Bryan reside.

Interests outside cricket

After relocating to New Zealand in the mid-2000s, Paul Strang transitioned into roles focused on broader sports development and education, reflecting his commitment to nurturing young talent beyond his cricketing background. As Pathway to Podium Coordinator for Auckland Sport, he contributed to Sport New Zealand's initiative aimed at identifying and supporting promising athletes across various disciplines, helping to build pathways for high-performance careers in diverse sports. This role involved fostering relationships in the Auckland region and delivering athlete support programs to enhance skills and opportunities for the next generation of sporting stars. Strang has since applied his extensive sports experience—spanning over 25 years—to education, becoming a PE and Commerce teacher at in since 2023. In this capacity, he emphasizes holistic youth development, teaching students practical skills like , CV writing, and interviewing while integrating with career-oriented learning in the sports industry. As Director of Future Sport at the school, Strang manages a specialized program that blends daily lessons with sports-specific education, including expert talks, site visits to professional environments, and guidance from to inspire confident, character-driven students pursuing excellence in sports-related fields. This initiative supports community-level engagement by providing real-world insights and personal growth opportunities, enabling young participants to explore non-elite pathways in the broader sports ecosystem.

References

  1. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/paul-strang-biography-92125
  2. https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/players/paul-strang.html
  3. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-zimbabwe-1994-95-61617/zimbabwe-vs-sri-lanka-3rd-test-63659/full-scorecard
  4. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-tour-of-pakistan-1996-97-62007/pakistan-vs-zimbabwe-1st-test-63722/full-scorecard
  5. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/paul-strang-to-step-down-as-auckland-coach-604876
  6. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/paul-strang-55758
  7. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/paul-strang-a-short-biography-83377
  8. https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2168/2168.html
  9. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/paul-strang-a-good-bowler-is-someone-who-keeps-evolving-533117
  10. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/paul-strang-retires-from-international-cricket-114291
  11. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/paul-strang-updated-biography-115425
  12. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/wills-world-cup-1995-96-60981
  13. https://www.howstat.com/cricket/statistics/WorldCup/PlayerOverview.asp?PlayerID=2005
  14. https://www.howstat.com/cricket/statistics/Players/PlayerOverview_ODI.asp?PlayerID=2005
  15. https://www.cricketweb.net/statsspider/player/244107-onedaybattinganalysis.php
  16. https://www.thenational.com.pg/spinner-strang-is-anderson%25E2%2580%2599s-deputy/
  17. https://www.nzc.nz/news?p=415
  18. https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/archive/strang-to-coach-auckland-a/
  19. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/strang-joins-auckland-as-high-performance-coach-365114
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ76X1R3k8c
  21. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/paul-strang-fills-in-as-auckland-coach-392341
  22. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/cricket/cricket-strang-signs-on-for-two-more-years/BI7Q2XY6P3CNDD45O24R3V7CYM/
  23. https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/533117/-a-good-bowler-is-someone-who-keeps-evolving
  24. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/cricket-strang-steps-down-as-coach/WU2AAABDWBA3YVAB2CV6OMO5SA/
  25. https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/223062/sport-former-zimbabwe-international-spinner-joins-png-coaching-team
  26. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1032645042193924&id=100063453138672&set=a.498143195644114
  27. https://nz.linkedin.com/in/paul-strang-b2321072
  28. https://www.howstat.com/cricket/statistics/Players/PlayerOverview_ODI.asp?PlayerId=2017
  29. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/bryan-strang-updated-biography-115174
  30. https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/paul-strang-a-rare-world-class-leg-spinner-of-the-lsquo-90s-unearthed-by-zimbabwe-29360/
  31. https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/archive/strang-adds-to-high-performance-mix/
  32. https://oas.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ConnectingCoaches-Programme-Proof-3.pdf
  33. https://sportnz.org.nz/about/news-and-media/news-updates/
  34. https://www.schoolbasedtraining.org/class-of-2023.html
  35. https://nz.linkedin.com/in/paul-strang-593649306
  36. https://www.westlake.school.nz/openground-future-sport/about-future-sport
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