Defending champion coach steps down

After leading Wellington Blaze to two Dream11 Super Smash trophies - including the latest 2023/24 season, Head Coach Lance Dry is departing, ahead of this season's defence.

After three-and-a-half solid seasons at the helm, Dry is transitioning into a new role as Cricket Wellington's Men’s Coach – Performance and Pathways.

He's previously been involved with the men’s set-up as a Wellington Firebirds Assistant Coach over two seasons; and was the Firebirds' Interim Head Coach last season.

He is currently providing specialist spin-bowling coaching to the Firebirds' squad and this role will now expand to include supporting Cricket Wellington's pathway teams, Cricket Wellington said in a statement today.

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Former Auckland Cricket Head of Pathway & Talent Jonny Bassett-Graham will meanwhile take over the Wellington Blaze's season as the new Head Coach, with fomer Firebird Joe Austin-Smellie as his Assistant Coach for the Dream11 Super Smash.

Cricket Wellington Chief Executive Todd Bryant said Dry "has been a great leader, driving the Blaze to incredible success. We are thankful for his contributions, and I fully support his decision to step away from the Blaze at this time.”

Dry himself said the decision was tinged with sadness, as well as satisfaction from a job well done.

“The team is in a great place, but needs a new voice and new ideas to reach the next level.

“We have made all six finals across the [national one-day] Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and Dream 11 Super Smash over the last few years, winning two Super Smash titles and Wellington’s first outright Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.

“Thank you to the players, staff, and especially Woody [Assistant Coach Luke Woodcock] for his humour and coaching skill over the last-three-and-a-half seasons. I wish Melie [Kerr] and the team all the best for the upcoming Super Smash.”

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Blaze captain Kerr said she was "gutted" to see Dry go, "but I have absolutely loved working with Lance over the last three-and-a-half years in what has been such a successful run for him as Head Coach.

“Personally, he has helped to develop my game, and especially my tactical knowledge as a captain.

“I wish him all the best for what is next and know that he will be a cricketing brain that I will always be able to tap into for help in my career,” she said.

Cricket Wellington will make an announcement on the Blaze coaching staff for the remainder of the season in due course.

The Blaze are the third team heading into this summer's Dream11 Super Smash under a new mentor.

Fellow Grand Finalist last season, the Central Hinds, are now coached by Deepak Joon after Jacob Oram took up a BLACKCAPS Assistant Coach role over the off-season.

The Auckland Hearts are now coached by former Auckland Aces Donovan Grobbelaar, after Rob Nicol moved across to coach the Aces.

Craig Cumming is meanwhile in his last summer as the Otago Sparks' Head Coach.

Wellington Blaze's 2024/25 Dream11 Super Smash campaign begins on New Year's Day in Hamilton.

See the full SCHEDULE

WELLINGTON BLAZE'S

DREAM11 SUPER SMASH 'DRY SPELL'

 2021/22

Super Smash Winners (qualified 1^st then defeated Otago Sparks in Final)

2022/23

Super Smash Runner-up (qualified 1^st then lost to Canterbury Magicians in Final)

Wellington Blaze set National Record with 18 Consecutive Super Smash wins

2023/24

Super Smash Winners (Qualified 1^st then defeated Central Hinds in Final)