Devon Cricket Board - Phillips joins Somerset Academy coaching team

Phillips joins Somerset Academy coaching team

FORMER Somerset player Ben Phillips (below) has been appointed as part-time bowling coach to work with young fast bowlers on the Academy, the identified fast bowling group, and the Somerset Cricket Board’s Emerging Player Programme as well as county age-group teams.
Phillips, who is 40, was born in Kent where he made his First Class debut in 1996.
)derutcipAfter a spell with Northamptonshire, Phillips (moved to Somerset in 2007, where he played under the captaincy of Justin Langer before moving to Notts, where he played between 2011-13.
Phillips appeared in 124 First Class matches, in which he scored almost 3,000 runs at an average of 21.30 and took 271 wickets at 30, with a best of six for 29.
There are 137 List A matches on his record, in which he claimed 153 wickets at 30.21. Phillips made 63 T20 appearances, taking 62 wickets at 27.79.
‘When you retire you want to keep involved with the First Class game and to have the chance to work with the future stars at Somerset is a huge honour for me,’ said Phillips, who was Budleigh Salterton's player-coach last season.
‘I feel really privileged to be working alongside the other coaches at the County Ground.
‘I have got very fond memories of my playing days with Somerset and its great to be back involved with the club.’
Andy Hurry, the Somerset high performance director, said: ‘‘Having reviewed the Academy over the last few months, we felt a specialist fast bowling coach was of paramount importance to the players going forward.
‘Ben has a great understanding of the philosophy of the club having played for Somerset and after finishing in the First Class game he has been away and developed himself into a coach.
‘We are looking forward to him working alongside us in the Academy programme, in conjunction with Somerset Cricket Board.’
Andy Fairbairn the SCB cricket development manager, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Ben into our coaching set-up.
Ben will work closely with Richard Ellison, who will continue his vital role as a bowling specialist, to develop young bowlers in Somerset.
‘For our players to have two coaches of Richard’s and Ben’s calibre is wonderful news and we can’t wait for the winter coaching to commence.’
Phillips is expected to commence his duties early in November.

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