Never taking a backward step is the heart of T10 Cricket – Team Abu Dhabi Head Coach

Team Abu Dhabi have got off to an amazing start in the Abu Dhabi T10, winning four games out of four. Paul Farbrace’s side are the only unbeaten side left in the tournament and he says that they own it to the simple yet effective strategy of the whole team.

Take the positive option, never take the backward step – Paul Farbace

“I’ve said to the bowlers that their focus is taking one wicket in each over that they bowl. So if Fiddy [Fidel Edwards] swings the ball, and he goes one for 16, I’m happy with that because if we keep taking wickets all the way through, then that puts pressure on the opposition and it slows the scoring rate down. So for me, don’t worry about how many runs you go for. If you’ve got that skill to get a wicket and you take wickets, it puts the opposition under pressure.”

“Our batting philosophy is very simple. Let’s look to hit as many fours and sixes as we can. Our view about batting is that maybe one night we might get bowled out for 50 in six overs, but we’d rather that than getting ourselves to 72 for seven off ten overs.”

“It’s about being on the front foot every ball that you’re involved with. Take the positive option. Don’t take a backward step. If you keep doing that and you stick to that process, you’re going to enjoy your skills. And really, that’s our brand. That’s how we want to play and we’ve been adamant from ball one that’s how we’re gonna play. So far, it seems to be going okay.”

T10 is harder for batsmen than bowlers – Farbace

Paul Farbace is recognized as one of the best coaches out there with immense cricketing knowledge. His record speaks for himself. However, this is the first time for Farbace in franchise cricket and a first try at the T10 format. Ironically, he believes that this format is tougher for batters.

“It’s really interesting, because I came into this thinking actually, this is quite a brutal game for bowlers. And that bowlers are under severe pressure. Actually in this first week, the one thing that I think I’ve learned is that it’s actually the other way around. I think it’s harder for the batter’s than it is for the bowlers. Because the expectation level is that the batter can hit every ball for four and six.”

Talking about his experience working alongside former England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor, Farbace was all praise for her. Sarah Taylor is only the second female coach in men’s professional franchise cricket, and Farbace believes she has stood up to the role in the best way possible.

“She’s been excellent. She has worked a lot with Phil [Salt] in the past, she’s worked brilliantly with him and his keeping has got better as the tournament has gone on. Her intensity in practice and her work rate is excellent,” Farbrace said. “She’s got good knowledge.

She’s a good communicator, and she understands people and I think that’s what coaching is about these days. Understanding people and finding out what you can do to help them. I’ve always said that players learn from players, they don’t learn from coaches. Our job is to facilitate that learning.”