Former fast bowler Ian Pont is recognised as a pioneer in his field of coaching pace bowlers. He has spent the past decade researching and developing his knowledge of the mechanics of quick bowling and advised some of the world’s top players in this period. 

 

A coach who has been involved in three World Cup campaigns, Pont was also appointed head coach for the Dhaka Gladiators who went on to win the inaugural edition of the BPL earlier this year. His involvement with the game began as a player in a first-class career spanning six years, starting off with county side Nottinghamshire and culminating with Essex in 1988. He also had a brief foray into the world of baseball pitching in 1987.

 

The role of bowling coach has evolved beyond recognition over the last 20 years. Previously, bowlers learnt their trade through picking up tips informally from fellow professionals and the rigours of the domestic circuit. However, the appointment of a bowling coach for an international side is now considered pivotal for the development of pace bowlers and in workload management, a particularly significant issue given the current demands of playing three formats and domestic T20 leagues. 

 

The PCB’s search for a replacement for previous bowling coach Aaqib Javed, who resigned in February to take up the head coaching position in the UAE, has been a prolonged process in which a number of individuals with significant coaching credentials were considered, including Stuart Barnes and Ian Pont. Ultimately, Mohammad Akram was selected due to his international bowling experience and relationship with the current crop of Pakistani players. 

 

One of the higher-profile candidates, Ian Pont, spoke in-depth with PakPassion.net about his career achievements, Mohammad Akram’s appointment as bowling coach and his continued desire to work with Pakistani cricket in the future. 

 

His self-belief and confidence in his coaching methods employed is evident from his early days of coaching. "I started out in 1993 offering coaching courses that gave money back if you didn't bowl faster on the speed gun!” Pont continues, “Running my own cricket institute since 1993 has given me some very lucky breaks.”

 

The ECB’s National Cricket Performance Centre has been identified as playing a key role in the development of the battery of England pace bowlers coming through the ranks, and Pont recalls his experience of working at the Midlands site. “As ECB National Skill Sets Coach for Fast Bowling at Loughborough, working with Ottis Gibson, we were fortunate to have a young quick called Steve Finn emerge from that group.”

 

He has worked with top international bowling talent in an independent capacity, as well as through both the coaching of international sides and participation in the Bangladesh Premier League. “I have been blessed to go to three ICC World Cups as a coach, be national bowling coach with Bangladesh and successfully win the BPL as Head Coach of the Dhaka franchise. Over the past nine years to have coached players like Dale Steyn, Shoaib Akthar, Andy Bichel, Alex Tudor, Darren Gough, Andre Nel, Joginder Sharma, Amit Mishra, Kieron Pollard, Imran Nazir, Azhar Mahmood, Rana Naved, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and a whole host of other International stars, has been a complete joy.”

 

Pont’s experience extends beyond his home country of England and the breadth of his knowledge has been developed in all of the major cricket-playing countries. “Working across county cricket, Ranji Trophy, T20, ODI's and setting up an International Pro coaching camp in South Africa means my own interests are in developing talent through making players more skilful. That's because becoming the best version of yourself is what every player seeks.” 

 

He has also harnessed his technical knowledge in writing a number of books about cricket coaching “’The Fast Bowler's Bible’ was written to explain exactly how it is possible for a pace bowler to bowl reverse swing - the first time anyone had revealed in writing how to bowl this.” 

 

Pont also spoke about his application for the role of Pakistan bowling coach, a position which was ultimately given to former Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Akram "I appreciate the PCB were originally seeking a coach with the background and skills in coaching high profile players and developing talent, which is why I applied. Ultimately, the role wasn't offered to me.”

 

As someone who has exhibited immense passion for the game and improvement of fast bowlers, it’s no surprise he continues to follow Pakistani cricket closely and offers his best wishes to the current coaching team, as well as showing a willingness to provide assistance should it be deemed necessary in the future. “I maintain a strong interest as I know both Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain very well. I sincerely hope that Pakistan cricket goes from strength to strength and Mohammad Akram does a fabulous job. He has an important role and my door is always open to the PCB for help, if it is required at any stage" says Pont. 

 

Pont continues to coach bowlers in his cricket academy based in Essex, England.

 

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