Wayne Noon spent his Christmas and New Year helping the Sydney Thunder to Big Bash glory, and says he has returned to Trent Bridge a better coach.
The Nottinghamshire Assistant Manager spent the tournament working one-to-one with the likes of Mike Hussey, Shane Watson, Jacques Kallis and Andre Russell as the Western Sydney franchise won the competition for the first time.
The Thunder hadn’t so much as threatened a semi-final berth in any of the previous four years, so winning the competition was way in excess of expectations, as well as providing ample opportunity for the 44-year-old to learn.
“There was loads I’ve brought back,” he said. “I’ve had a couple of chats with Mick already.
“It was nothing like I expected in terms of the way they prepare for a six-week tournament.
“The preparation was very relaxed. The onus is on the players to prepare themselves.
“At Nottinghamshire we have the players here all year round and a more structured set-up.
"I’m glad it was different because it was a good learning curve. I feel 100 per cent better as a coach.”
Noon picked out West Indian globetrotter Russell as a player he particularly enjoyed working with Down Under, while a number of talented young Australians also benefited from spending time with the Outlaws’ coach.
“Initially I was there as an observer but, as the tournament went on, I worked a lot one-to-one with the players,” he said.
“I enjoyed working with Dre Russ. Sometimes coaches fear senior stars, but what I found was that Hussey, Watson, Kallis and Russell, still want that input. They were a good bunch of lads and they made it easy for me.
“I’m glad I went to a franchise where I knew no-one as I had to find my niche. The one to ones were my way in and it was a good learning curve.
“I enjoyed work with Chris Hartley, the keeper, and a young spinner in Chris Green, who wanted information.
“At some stage in the whole six weeks I got around everyone. No one was dismissive.
“They were open to ideas. I think that’s a reason they did so well.”
The 2015 season saw dramatic last-gasp four day victories, thrilling limited-overs contests and an historic Investec Ashes Test, all in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.
Next season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.