IPL 2019: Rajasthan Royals rope in Steffan Jones as the fast bowling coach

Mumbai, November 29, 2018: Rajasthan Royals have roped in the data-driven and sports science focused fast bowling coach Steffan Jones for the upcoming 12th edition of the Vivo Indian Premier League. Jones, who was regarded highly as a fast bowler playing for several Counties in a career spanning 14 years, has worked with the likes of Stuart Broad and Dan Christian during his short coaching stint with Hobart Hurricanes last year.

His stay with the Hurricanes in the Big Bash League was much appreciated and Broad even rated him ‘right up there’ among the best bowling coaches he had worked with. Starting his first-class career in 1997, Jones represented Somerset, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire and Kent taking 387 wickets in 148 matches at an average of 36.87. He has 10 five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul.

I've been lucky to work with some great bowling coaches and big @SteffanJones105 is right up there. Amazing knowledge and top man. Thanks

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) January 14, 2017

Jones has coached at Derbyshire and Somerset and is currently director of Sports Performance and Wellbeing at Wellington School in Somerset. He was also a part-time scout for Surrey. He has a Sport and Exercise Science BSC (Hons) at Loughborough University and a PGCE in PE from Cambridge University.

Jones has played rugby professionally while his research into other sports like javelin and baseball has helped him think laterally and bring innovative ideas into fast bowling coaching.

RR welcome Jones

Rajasthan Royals welcome Steffan Jones as part of their coaching staff and hope the young fast bowlers in the squad will improve and learn new skills from him.

“Jones thinks differently, and that is what we love at the Royals. His research into other sports is extremely interesting and his data and sports science focus meant he was a perfect fit for RR. Steffan brings in a fresh perspective to the art of fast bowling and we are excited to have him at Rajasthan Royals,” said Royals’ Head of Cricket, Zubin Bharucha.

Jones is looking forward to his first stint with the Royals in the Indian Premier League. Commenting on his appointment, he said, “It is a privilege for me to get this role and work with one of the best T20 teams in the world. Rajasthan Royals have a great culture of unearthing new talent and developing its cricketers which I am excited to be a part of. I am really looking forward to this opportunity to work with an extremely talented group of fast bowlers.”

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