Paul Farbrace and Mark Robinson have tasted plenty of Twenty20 glory in their coaching careers.
Now they are working together at Edgbaston with a driving passion to add a Vitality Bears trophy with the Bears to their list of achievements.
Bears director of cricket Farbrace has coached Sri Lanka to the World T20 title and been involved in three World T20 finals. Robinson, now head coach at Edgbaston, led Sussex to Blast glory during seven trophy-laden seasons in that role at Hove.
They know what it takes to build and taste success in T20 and they are also aware of the special lure that lies in their current job – a Finals Day for the Bears in front of their own supporters at their beloved Edgbaston.
“Finals Day at Edgbaston is one of the best days there is in the cricket calendar,” said Robinson. “It has taken over from, when I played, to play in a Lord’s final, and it hurts when you are not there.
“Once you have enjoyed success in the Blast and got to quarter finals and Finals Days it becomes part of your DNA. When you are not doing it, it hurts.
Mark Robinson
“We want to challenge for success in all formats and it is very much our mission to be at Finals Day. I am excited about our prospects in T20 and I look at our squad, and the talented young players coming through, and am very excited about what they can achieve in the Blast.”
Farbrace share’s Robinson’s excitement and also has that success in his DNA.
“In my first year with the Bears, I was at Finals Day, watching,” he said. “The second year I didn’t go because I couldn’t bear to be there watching other teams. I don’t want to be there watching it if we’re not there – it hurts too much.
“It is absolutely our goal to be there this year and that’s not putting Mark under extreme pressure because he shares that goal.
“I’ve been involved in three T20 World Cup finals and lost two and won one and finals are brilliant to be involved in and horrible not to be in. That has got to be our absolute goal – not to just see how far we can go, but to be at Finals Day.
Paul Farbrace
“There is nothing better than being at Finals Day at Edgbaston and it is one of our top objectives for Robbo, captain Will Rhodes and the team is to get there.”
