There is a new face in the Titans ranks, with Grant Luden taking over the reins as the strength and conditioning coach.

 Luden has spent the past decade racking up experience on the international stage, working with some of the best players in the world.

 ‘After 10 years of international cricket, three ODI World Cups, five T20 World Cups and a Champions Trophy medal, it is great to be back home where it all started, with the Titans,’ he said this week.

Luden studied at Pretoria Technikon, which is now known as TUT. As a sports medicine student with an avid cricket brain, he offered his services to assist during Titans practise sessions.

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‘Dave Nosworthy was kind enough to let me be involved in the Titans set-up. I was eager to learn. I threw balls, helped wherever I could, preparing drinks, picking up towels and learning about team dynamics,’ he added.

 ‘Richard Pybus also allowed me to participate in training sessions.’

 Upon graduating in 2001, Luden stayed in the sport, as he coached the University of Pretoria (TUKS) cricket team along with Colin Dettmer. He later coached the TUT side to a league title in 2007-08, before landing his first international gig.

 ‘I was offered a contract to work for the Bangladesh national team. I left in 2013 after learning so much about the field of strength and conditioning,’ he explained.

Then, in 2014, he landed the dual role of fielding and strength and conditioning coach for the Pakistan team, working alongside Mickey Arthur at an exciting time for the team.

The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy win was a major highlight, as was heading to the 2015 and 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments.

‘The experience with Pakistan was invaluable, and I have memories that I will cherish forever. Now I want to make a fresh start at home, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start than with the Titans,’ he said.

Titans head coach Mark Boucher added: ‘Grant has worked around the cricket world with some of the best players in the game, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can bring into the team.’