Thornely named new NSW Breakers coach

Two-time Sheffield Shield winner and former New South Wales Blues skipper Dominic Thornely is the new Breakers head coach.

Thornely was the assistant during their record 19th and 20th titles over the last two years and replaces former Australian player Joanne Broadbent, who stepped down in late April after seven seasons in charge.

"(I'm) extremely honoured and humbled. The NSW Breakers have got an amazing history ... they're pioneers of women's cricket, so to be able engage with their program, be involved with that and lead that program is really exciting," said the 40-year-old.

"It's an opportunity for me to really evolve what women's cricket looks like here in NSW and allow (the Thunder and Sixers) to run their two separate programs."

As a member of the Blues squad for 15 seasons, Thornely won two Sheffield Shield titles in 2004/05 and 2007/08, as well as three domestic one-day titles.

He captained the Blues 19 times between 2007 and 2009 and only former Australian Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (89) and paceman Stuart Clark (84) have played more domestic limited-overs matches for the Blues than Thornely (78).

Thornely scored 4,224 First Class runs for the Blues at an average of nearly 45.

General Manager, Cricket Performance, David Moore said Cricket NSW was in Thornely's DNA.

"He came here for work experience about 25 years ago, was a wonderful young cricketer, played a lot of underage cricket for us and then graduated to the Blues, captained the Blues and now he's plying his trade as a coach," said Moore.

"This means a lot to people at Cricket NSW because Dom is a Blue through and through, whether it's male or female."