The 5 highest paid cricket coaches in the world

The role of a coach in cricket might not be as significant as it is in football, but it still does bring with it a lot of responsibilities and pressures. The main responsibility of a coach in the game is to successfully manage his players and bring out the best in each one of them. In such cases, a good relationship with the captain is extremely important, as he is in charge of the team. The coach helps the captain devise different strategies for different teams and players and also points out minor technical tweaks that might be required.

When compared to what professional cricketers or even coaches of other sports like football receive, the salary of a cricket coach is incomparable. The situation is slightly better for the coaches of the South Asian countries. So, who exactly are the highest paid cricket coaches in the world today?

Let us have a look at the 5 highest paid cricketing coaches.

Disclaimer : All the figures have been taken from a report by 'Cricket Monthly', a digital magazine from ESPNcricinfo.

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#5 Micky Arthur (Pakistan) - $220,000

Micky Arthur has stabilised Pakistani Cricket

Micky Arthur had a modest cricketing career, but commanded huge respect due to his dedication and commitment on the field. He finished his playing career scoring 6557 runs. He then coached several sides in the South African domestic cricket before finally taking over as the head coach of South Africa after Ray Jennings' departure in 2005. He formed a wonderful partnership with Graeme Smith and transformed South Africa into a world beating side. After his departure in 2010, he had stints with some T20 franchises before a forgettable tenure as the coach of Australia.

He took over as the head coach of Pakistan in May 2016 and has since then transformed Pakistan into a stable and a formidable opposition. His best moment came in June 2017, when Pakistan defeated India in the final of the Champions Trophy.

His contract with the PCB ensures that he earns an annual salary of $220,000.

#4 Mike Hesson (New Zealand) - $250,000

Mike Hesson has been a wonderful success at New Zealand

Mike Hesson is currently the head coach of the New Zealand cricket team. He took up coaching at an unusually early age of 22, beginning with a seven-year apprenticeship as Otago cricket's director of coaching. He became the assistant coach of Otago in 2003 before being promoted the top post the following year. He stayed there for a number of years and converted a struggling Otago side into one which regularly challenged for titles. He then served as the head coach of Kenya for a few years before resigning, citing security concerns.

He took over the reigns of the New Zealand team after John Wright's departure in July 2012. Today, he is the longest serving coach in New Zealand's history, having taken the Black Caps to series wins in England and South Africa, and against West Indies and India at home. Hesson's team has played 51 Tests, winning 20 and losing 19, while in 107 completed ODIs, he has overseen 63 wins, 43 losses and a tie.

His great work sees him earn an annual salary of $250,000, placing him at the number four on the list.

#3 Trevor Bayliss (England) - $520,000

Trevor Bayliss has overseen a transformation in England's ODI performance

Trevor Bayliss was a hard-hitting middle-order batsman and a brilliant cover fielder, but it was as a coach that he made his mark. He was immensely successful as the coach of New South Wales and replicated his success with the Sri Lankan national team, leading them to the number two spot in the Test rankings - their highest position - and the World Cup finals in 2011. He then plied his trade in various T20 leagues around the world, including a stint in the IPL with the Kolkata Knight Riders, before finally taking over as the coach of England in May 2015.

Soon after his appointment, he led England to series victories over arch-rivals Australia and South Africa. However, since then his Test record isn't too great - England has won 15 Tests and lost 18 in the 38 where Bayliss has been at the helm. He has, however, turned around their fortunes in ODI cricket, with England resorting to an ultra aggressive approach in One Day Internationals after the 2015 World Cup debacle.

His contract runs out in 2019 and he earns an annual salary of $520,000.

#2 Darren Lehmann (Australia) - $550,000

Lehmann has been the coach of Australia for a number of years

An attractive left-handed batsman of his time, Lehmann was a joy to watch when he batted, as he mixed aggression with deft finesse. After finishing his playing career, Lehmann entered into the coaching domain via the IPL, where he was at the helm of the Deccan Chargers when they won the tournament in 2009. He then had a successful stint with the Queensland Bulls, before his popularity with his players made him an attractive candidate for higher coaching honors. Cricket Australia then sprung a surprise by sacking Mickey Arthur and naming Lehmann as the coach of the national side, less than three weeks before the start of the 2013 Ashes.

Since then, he has been an important component of the title winning Australian team. He led them to the 2015 World Cup triumph and also oversaw their latest Ashes victory.

His current contract with Cricket Australia sees him earn an annual salary of $550,000.

#1 Ravi Shastri (India) - $1.17 million

Ravi Shastri has formed a wonderful partnership with Virat Kohli

It is only apt that the coach of the team with the richest cricketing board is also the highest paid cricket coach in the world. During his playing days, Ravi Shastri was a wonderful utility cricketer - as an attacking opening or middle-order batsman; as a left-arm spinner, who was an integral part of the attack and as a long-time deputy to a couple of captains. In his time he was the poster boy of Indian cricket with his tall, handsome looks and with an image to match.

He was appointed as the Team Director of the Indian team and remained in that post for two years from August 2014 to April 2016 before Anil Kumble replaced him as the head coach. Shastri finally made his return after being appointed to the top post of Indian cricket in July 2017 for a period of two years till the 2019 World Cup. He has overseen series wins over Sri Lanka and West Indies during this period.

His current contract sees him draw an annual salary of $1.17 million.