Meet PSL franchise Multan Sultans fast-bowling coach, Catherine Dalton – an emblem of inspiration for female coaches and beyond

Meticulously breaking barriers and shattering the glass ceiling, Irish Catherine Dalton as a female cricket coach has displayed an unwavering determination and unyielding dedication as she relentlessly paved her way to making history by joining the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise—Multan Sultans as a fast-bowling coach.

In the realm of cricket, a sport deeply entrenched in tradition and history, progress often moves at a glacial pace.

However, there are rare moments when an individual emerges and disrupts the moribund status quo.

Enter Catherine Clare Dalton, a trailblazing fast-bowling coach who is making waves, of late. She acknowledged the fact that in the early years, her bowling action wasn’t very visually appealing.

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it,” once legendary basketball player Michael Jordan, said.

This is what fits aptly Dalton’s work ethic.

Dalton, immersed in the overwhelming support pouring in from all corners of the globe, received a text message followed by a phone call in August 2023 from Multan Sultans owner – Ali Tareen that would change her life forever.

It arrived while she was enjoying a holiday with her friends in the picturesque land of Greece.

Little did she know, this message held the key to her long-awaited dream job.

As a promising coach who had embarked on her coaching journey side-by-side at the tender age of 20, Dalton had kept this a secret.

The weight of anticipation grew with each passing day, until finally, after a couple of months; she could no longer contain the secret.

With a dramatic flourish, Dalton unveiled the news that would send shockwaves through the cricketing world.

? Pace ace Catherine Dalton (@cathdalton57) joins Multan Sultans as our new Fast Bowling Coach! ?

An @ECB_cricket certified Level 3 Advanced Coach, Dalton has previously held coaching positions in the National Fast Bowling Academy in the UK and the Ultimate Pace Foundation in… pic.twitter.com/8tYoX9cf75

— Multan Sultans (@MultanSultans) October 17, 2023

The dream job she had yearned for, the one that would propel her career to new heights, was now within her grasp that too in a country where fast bowlers can be found on every street and backyard cricket, the competition is fierce.

The revelation left her friends, cricket colleagues and loved ones in awe, as they marvelled at her devotion and the immense support she had garnered across the globe.

In that moment, the magnitude of Dalton’s achievement became clear. The path she had chosen, the countless hours of hard work and sacrifice, had led her to this watershed moment.

The stage was set for her to shine, to make an indelible mark on the world of coaching. And as she stood there, basking in the glory of her triumph, Dalton knew that her journey had only just begun by inking a groundbreaking contract with the Sultans.

“Inspirations on my journey have been my family obviously my coach and mentor Ian Pont and yeah that’s kind of been it – just really found my passion for cricket and being inspired by my students and those people I have worked with. So that’s been it,” Dalton exclusively told Cricketaddictor.com

Dalton, who has visited Pakistan twice, has been instrumental in training promising fast bowlers such as Arshad Iqbal, Sameen Gul, and Mohammad Ilyas, to name a few.

Not only that, she closely monitored their progress in the PSL and has been absolutely thrilled with their outstanding performances.

“Catherine’s work for Multan Sultans’ youth academies speaks for itself, we’re all looking forward to her bringing those skills to the main team.

In this process, we also want to establish new role models for young girls, those who succeed not only on the pitch as athletes, but also in the boardroom as leaders, and in the academies as coaches,” Sultans owner Ali Tareen previously stated.

The Sultans is not a run-of-the-mill team – it’s renowned for pushing boundaries and challenging the established norms. Dalton’s appointment is one such testament.

As @cathdalton57’s main translator, I have seen first hand the impact she’s had on players. From increasing pace, injury prevention to developing new skills, Catherine has helped players reach new levels.

Here’s to breaking records, wickets and barriers! ??? pic.twitter.com/nwrhV3jG9Q

— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) October 17, 2023

By appointing Dalton, they are boldly proclaiming that gender does not dictate one’s ability to coach. They sent a resounding message that a woman can excel just as much as a man in this demanding role.

This is no ordinary agreement; it is a historic milestone. Dalton stands as the first woman to secure such a prestigious position in the league’s storied history.

And, this achievement is not only significant but long overdue.

Dalton is no stranger to the game. She has honed her skills and expertise over the years, coaching fast bowlers and helping them refine their craft. Her innate talent and profound understanding of the game have captivated the attention of the Multan Sultans.

Dalton has an impressive career spanning multiple domestic teams and Irish international women’s cricket by also participating in the 2016 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in India. She has made significant contributions to women’s county cricket, having played for both Essex and Middlesex.

“I am lucky enough to feature in the World Cup in India. It was a surreal experience,” Dalton quipped.

Right-handed batter and right-arm fast-medium bowler Dalton was named Middlesex Player of the Year in 2013 for her all-around excellence.

Armed with fervour for the game, she embarked on an arduous coaching journey that demanded resilience and perseverance.

Dalton, 31, also started her coaching journey by working with young players including female players at Hutton CC, a local junior club in Essex.

Apart from innovative strategies and meticulous attention to detail, Dalton’s success has been largely attributed to her capacity to establish a personal connection with each player and modify her coaching style to suit their demands.

But, biomechanics is biomechanics for her.

She also became one of the youngest coaches to impress her mentor and coach—Ian Pont at the National Fast Bowling Academy (NFBA) in Hertfordshire and has emerged as an ECB-certified Level 3 Advanced Coach. As of now, Dalton is working on fast bowlers at the NFBA.

Dalton’s extensive coaching background and expertise make her a valuable addition to the PSL team. She acquired Irish citizenship in 2015 to bolster her cricketing career, as her father and grandparents hail from Ireland.

Born in Leyton, a town nestled in East London, where football reigned as a captivating spectacle, to her subsequent participation in the renowned England academy as an opening fast bowler for over two years.

Hailing from a humble English town, Dalton harbours an unwavering ambition to excel in her chosen path, brimming with hope for a prosperous future.

Dalton, an accomplished Irish cricketer, candidly shares her experiences, and triumphs as she navigates the coaching realm.

“I didn’t grow up in Leyton, I was born there and I certainly haven’t faced any challenges with where I live at all – including my stay in India and Pakistan. Secondly, I didn’t emigrate to Ireland. I flew to, and from games and training, living in the UK,” Dalton reminisced.

Dalton, much like other cricketers, acquired her knowledge of the game through observing her father and brothers play. During her younger years, she accompanied her brothers to a nearby cricket club, where he was a frequent participant.

Consequently, at a tender age, she instantly developed a deep affection for the sport. She then proceeded to boast about how she is superior in sports compared to her brother.

It all makes sense.

Dalton began her cricket journey at the age of 10, joining the Loughton Cricket Club (LCC) where she honed her skills for several years. Her dedication and passion for the sport eventually propelled her towards making a significant impact in the world of cricket.

“I started playing cricket at the age of 10, somewhere called Loughton Cricket Club (LCC). I played there for a good number of years all the way up into adult cricket which was great,” she maintained.

In 2009, Dalton made it to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Camp, which took place in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Fast forward six years, Dalton grabbed eyeballs by becoming the first female batter to score a century while representing the Halstead men’s team in a league game against the Felixstowe Cricket Club in England.

Interestingly, Dalton also possessed a talent for tennis and football, having even represented the Under-19 West Ham Football Club and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (first-team) at one point.

However, it was at the age of 17 that she made the pivotal choice to dedicate her time and efforts solely to cricket, recognising her true passion and potential in the game.

The world-renowned fast-bowling coach and former English cricketer – Ian Pont has hailed Catherine and is proud of her contributions to coaching, adding she will reach the pinnacle of her profession.

Pont, who first met Dalton when she was 17, was asked about Dalton’s abilities as a fast bowling coach, considering her previous experience at NFBA in the UK.

“Catherine is one of the very best fast bowling coaches – male or female – in the world. Her understanding of what to work with and how to improve a fast bowler is extraordinary,” Pont told Cricketaddictor.com

“I have been super proud to have her as my assistant for a number of years and what she brings to coaching is something I rarely see from other coaches. She is destined for the very top,” he added.

Dalton’s indomitable spirit, coupled with a profound understanding of the sport’s intricacies, propelled her towards becoming a pioneering figure in a male-dominated profession.

Excelling both as a strategist and mentor, she empowered her players by instilling confidence and fostering a sense of camaraderie within the team.

Undeterred by obstacles faced along the path, she meticulously honed her craft and relentlessly pursued excellence.

“I have been fortunate to have someone shadowing me for many years, in the way she has done. It means she has learned so much more than many others and is able to get to deliver answers to those who seek it with regard to how their bowling action works. This is her skill set,” Pont quipped.

With unparalleled levels of grit, Dalton has become an emblem of inspiration for aspiring athletes worldwide while etching her name in the annals of sporting history.

“The fact that she also went through the fast bowling herself with me as a bowler, adds to her understanding and knowledge. Furthermore, I would appreciate hearing your perspective on her groundbreaking appointment at the Multan Sultans,” Pont further asserted.

In the realm of professional cricket coaching, the role of fast bowling coaches is pivotal in imparting specialised skills and knowledge to aspiring athletes and Pont remarked that Dalton has it all who can make a huge difference.

“Massive credit must go here to Ali Tareen and his exceptional vision to offer Cath this chance. Most people always try to appoint ex-superstar players to coach believing that the wickets they took somehow make a great coach.

“But the best coaches are those that know how to help others, understand bowling actions and have made a difference with people they’ve trained. This is why Cath is a stand-out.

“And at age 31, she already has fantastic experience of coaching success, which Multan Sultans are tapping into. I am sure this will be the first of many high-level opportunities for her as well as others,” Pont reiterated.

Dalton’s appointment transcends her individual triumph. It symbolises a significant stride towards gender equality in sports and signifies a shifting landscape.

Moreover, it serves as a beacon of hope for other women in the field, igniting their spirits to break through the impenetrable glass ceilings that have hindered their progress.

Interestingly, Dalton has travelled to India multiple times as a coach with the Ultimate Pace Foundation (UPF), where she has successfully organised and conducted camps in prominent cities such as Bangalore Hyderabad, Delhi and Pune.

The diligent coach has also provided training to promising Indian cricketer—Deepak Chahar and this coaching experience has greatly benefited her as well.

Throughout her coaching career, she has consistently received a warm reception from all the male fast bowlers she has trained.

And, it was in India, seven years ago, Dalton had a dream of becoming a men’s team coach, and now she is truly relishing the experience.

As Dalton readies herself for her new role, the world will be fixated with bated breath. Who knows? Perhaps her triumph will pave the way for a legion of women to assume coaching positions, not only in cricket but across all sports.

However, several days later, Alex Hartley, an English International and the 2017 World Cup Winner was selected by the Sultans as an assistant spin bowling coach.

Hartley will have the privilege of working under the guidance of the legendary Saqlain Mushtaq.

“It’s a privilege to be on board. As a former women’s international, to be recognised and given the chance to work in the men’s game speaks volumes for the progress of women’s cricket. It’s also a demonstration of the forward-thinking leadership at Multan Sultans,” Hartley said.

Not only this, in August 2023— Sultans picked Hijab Zahid as the Pakistan Super League’s first female general manager.

“Catherine is an exceptional coach who has a proven track record of nurturing fast bowling talent across the world.

“Her inclusion to the coaching staff not only elevates the squad but also establishes an important milestone in inclusion and equity for Pakistan cricket as a whole. We welcome her to the Sultans family,” Hijab said.

It is high time that the world recognises that talent knows no gender.

As Dalton is set to embark on her PSL journey, anticipation and excitement will course through her veins.

The weight of her achievement, the significance of her presence as a female coach in a male-dominated sport – with this, the stage is set for her to rule the roost.

She would carry with her – the hopes and aspirations of countless aspiring young cricketers of Ali Tareen Academy, breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes with every step she is going to take, this time not as a player, but as a certified coach who has been awarded a first-class honours degree in Physical and Sport Education (B.A.) from St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, London.

Dalton spoke about future ambitions and aspirations, providing insights into her long-term vision as well as her dedication to continuous personal and professional growth. She further sheds light on her crucial role within the broader cricket coaching landscape.

It’s Dalton’s time now.

*****

Q&A: Interview with Cath Dalton:

TIM: What prompted you to take the historic role of fast bowling coach at PSL franchise Multan Sultans—and what would be your primary focus to work after closely monitoring the team? And, describe the experience of helping the youngsters, especially in Lodhran (Ali Tareen Academy).

CATH: About five years ago, I met Ali Tareen and I have been twice to Lodhran to do some camps alongside my coach and actually mentor Ian Pont. We’ve been to Pakistan and worked with some fast-class, PSL, Under-23 and Under-19 players and it was a fantastic experience for me.

Having never been to Pakistan – you know the hospitality and everything about the place was incredible. I love that and the passion for pace [bowling] in Pakistan is wonderful to see. And, you know working with those players, working with players that want to bowl faster, want to get better, and want to work on the bio-mechanics of their technique – was very special.

And, I got asked to do the role by Ali, and it was the easiest “yes” that I’ve had to say. Ali is a visionary and he’s looking to empower women through sport and this is an opportunity I am excited about.

I am looking forward to working with the team obviously the draft hasn’t happened yet, but when it does I am really looking forward to working with the team and hopefully getting Multan Sultans to lift that trophy.

TIM: Pakistan has been historically known for its fast bowling and given the latest example of Arshad Iqbal – you are working on, do you think it would make your job a bit easier at the Sultans’ given the wealth of experience you share?

CATH: Pakistan has produced some incredible fast bowlers over the years. And, it is the country that has the passion for the pace; you can see that in the youngsters coming through in the PSL. There’s a huge amount of bowlers bowling quick speeds you know 90mphs.

Hopefully, over the next couple of years we will see even more fast bowlers doing well and through an enhanced understanding of bio-mechanics bowlers can increase their pace; can become faster and can become more accurate.

So, I am really looking forward to the role and hopefully helping some fast bowlers achieve even higher speeds.

TIM: How important it was to work under prominent coach – Ian Pont and your experience of coaching at the NFBA, Ultimate Pace Foundation and Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) especially working with Indian bowler Deepak Chahar?

CATH: I am really privileged to work with Ian Pont. I have worked with him over a long period of time. He helped me personally in my fast bowling journey from being a county cricketer for Essex to elevating me to new levels and eventually opening the bowling for England academy and that was a great experience learning bio-mechanics – how to bowl faster.

So, Ian has been something who has helped me even in my coaching journey. My experience of coaching at the National Fast Bowling Association (NFBA) has been [incredible].

You know we run a really good programme over here in the UK. We have a lot of talented fast bowlers, but have three professional cricketers out of our academy so far.

So, we are hoping that it goes from strength to strength over the next couple of years.

I had a really great experience as well working out in India several times. And, I have worked with Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) and Deepak Chahar very closely and that was a wonderful opportunity for me to help advance Deepak’s understanding of his bio-mechanics.

We worked on some technical interventions which have helped him in his career but also given him some great slower balls as well.

So, that was a really good experience and one I am privileged and blessed that I have had.

TIM: Could you share some notable experiences that have shaped your career as a female fast bowling coach what prompted you to move from England to Ireland?

CATH: I have had a lot of experience in going through some bio-mechanical changes to my bowling action which increased my speed and accuracy and that really shaped me into wanting to coach.

I also studied sports teaching as a degree at university. So, I always had a passion for coaching and teaching and the opportunity to become a fast bowling coach is something I was really excited about and I am.

I was in the England academy for a couple of seasons as a player and then I moved to Ireland after that to play for Ireland which was a fantastic experience for me.

I played the 2016 T20 World Cup in India and I am still playing, I play for Essex as a state side.

And, all this experience as a player shapes you as a coach as well and you know gives you the guidelines for helping players and supporting them in their own personal journey.

TIM: How do you adapt your coaching style to cater to the different needs of male and female athletes you have been at the forefront of the player development program for five years, according to Ali Khan Tareen, who recently stated, “Of all the coaching announcements, this is my favourite.” How do you see it?

CATH: I think it is important as a coach that you adapt to any player’s needs. So, individually working with the player is really important making sure that you understand as a coach what every individual requires from you whether that be more tactical information even you know just showing empathy or support or even it be a bio-mechanical change.

So, every player you have to take as an individual and then from there, you are hopefully bound to help them by enhancing their cricket career and their journey. As I said before, enhance their speed and accuracy and make them better all-round cricketers.

TIM: What are the primary technical aspects you focus on while training aspiring fast bowlers?

CATH: I think it’s important to look at an individual as I said earlier with technical aspects you focus on can be very individual depending on a player.

So, you’re making sure the young understand bio-mechanises as a whole and then individualising it.

TIM: How do you approach the mental and psychological development of your fast bowlers?

CATH: The mental approach is such a big part of the game of cricket you can have great tactical awareness and good bowling technique. But mentally you need to be able to cope with pressure situations.

Understand what you’re doing when the heat of the moment is on. And, dealing with failure is a big thing especially with young players, you know, dealing with sometimes when things don’t go right and everybody has a bad day.

So, it’s learning to deal with those things and as a coach, it’s being as approachable as possible making sure, you’re happy to help a player go through game plans or mental approaches to the game and that can unlock their potential.

TIM: Are there specific challenges you face as a female coach in a predominantly male-dominated field? How do you navigate these challenges?

CATH: The thing that I have realised over the last 10 years of coaching is that no matter who you are working with if you can add value and enhance and improve their performance in the game, they don’t mind where the information comes from.

So, as a coach, it is vitally important that you are, the one that is helping the player improve and that is the main thing with coaching and that is the main thing of being a fast bowling coach or coaching any discipline is player improvement, play development, it becomes less about you as a coach and more about the individual you’re working with.

TIM: Can you describe any unique methods or training techniques you employ to enhance the performance of your fast bowlers?

CATH: I think the technical side of fast bowling is something that’s beginning to be adopted into a coach’s armoury over the last couple of years, you’ve seen a lot more coaches talking about the technical side of fast bowling, and the biomechanics of how to bowl faster and straighter and everybody can increase their speeds and improve what they’re doing.

If you take a batter, they will look to improve and enhance their technique and bowlers can do the same the better your technique, the better your outcomes are going to be and the more control you’re going to have over the cricket ball and of course, the more pace you’re going to express through your action.

TIM: How do you foster positive team dynamics and build rapport with your fast bowlers and what role do data analytics and technology play in your coaching approach?

CATH: Data is really important and technology because it allows you to assess a bowler and understand what they’re doing.

You know, maybe in certain aspects of the game and certain times during the game. Are they good at the death of they could, you know, opening overs – good bowling at left-handers? It gives you a really good oversight of what’s happening. The key then, is to take that information and use it positively.

It’s good to have data but it has to be used in a positive way to then, enhance your coaching and hopefully help a player improve and make them better in certain situations.

TIM: Could you share any notable success stories of fast bowlers you have coached, and how they achieved their goals under your guidance?

CATH: I have worked with a lot of players who have gone on to play first-class cricket obviously, Deepak Chahar would be the main success story.

Deepak was out of his state side. He wasn’t playing Ranji trophy cricket at all when we first met him and now he’s become a global sensation in the world of pace bowling, winning the IPL several times and playing for India.

Also, we have a lot of young players who’ve gone on to play first-class cricket through our Academy and have seen a lot of players in India who have also gone on to play first-class cricket.

TIM: What are your aspirations and goals as a female fast bowling coach for the future and your memories of being part of the 2016 Ireland women’s T20 World Cup team in India?

CATH: I have aspirations to keep going to keep improving players. And one day, I would love to be a head coach of a franchise side or an international team. That would be an amazing experience for me.

I had an incredible experience at the 2016 World Cup in India with the Ireland women’s team.

I learned a huge amount during that journey and it has definitely set me up for my coaching future.

*****