SA20: Pretoria Capitals announce Jonathan Trott as new head coach

Former England batsman Jonathan Trott has been named the new head coach of Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 league. This announcement comes just four days after the franchise parted ways with their inaugural coach, Graham Ford.

The Pretoria Capitals, owned by the JSW Group (which also owns Delhi Capitals in the IPL), have been seeking a fresh perspective following a challenging 2024 season. Under Ford's leadership, the team had a strong start in 2023, reaching the playoffs in their debut season.

However, their performance dipped significantly in 2024, finishing fifth out of six teams with only three wins in ten group-stage matches.

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Jonathan Trott strong candidate for Delhi Capitals head coach position

Jonathan Trott brings a wealth of experience to his new role. The 43-year-old has been part of the Afghanistan national team since July 2022, overseeing their participation in three World Cups. 

His tenure with Afghanistan has been marked by remarkable success, particularly in the recent 2024 T20 World Cup, where the team made a fairytale run to the semifinals, defeating cricketing powerhouses like Australia, New Zealand, and Bangladesh along the way.

The appointment raises questions about Trott's future with Afghanistan. His current contract, renewed in January, is set to run through the end of 2024. While there's no immediate clash between his international commitments and the SA20 league (scheduled for January 2025), it remains unclear whether Trott will continue in both roles or focus solely on his new position with Pretoria Capitals.

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In IPL, Delhi Capitals recently parted ways with head coach Ricky Ponting, ending a seven-year association. Speculation is rife that Trott could potentially be a candidate for the job in the future, especially given the connection between the two franchises.

Additionally, Trott's name has been mentioned in discussions about the England men's white-ball head coach position, although he is considered an outsider for that role.