Shane Bond joins BlackCaps as bowling coach

By Jamie Pierce

Shane Bond to replace Damien Wright as New Zealand Bowling Coach

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (TheSportsNEXT) October 18, 2012: The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is all set to announce former fast bowler Shane Bond as bowling coach of its national cricket team for the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka.

Sources told TheSportsNEXT.com on Thursday that Shane Bond, 37, who was one of the best fast bowlers produced by New Zealand, is most likely to replace Damien Wright and the NZC will soon make an official announcement in this regard.

Damien Wright had replaced Allan Donald as the BlackCaps bowling coach in July, 2012 but he has since been longing to spend more time with his family which led to his resignation after the New Zealand were knocked out of the recently held ICC World Twenty20 2012 in Sri Lanka.

Despite of a below expectations performance by the BlackCaps in recent times, Damien Wright’s association with the bowlers has turned them into good resources at international level which can made Shane Bond’s job a little easier.

Shane Bond, who called it quits in early 2010 owing to regular injuries, has been associated with the Central Districts as their bowling coach.

During his stint with the Central Districts, Shane Bond has worked with the country’s emerging fast bowlers like Adam Milne and Doug Bracewell and helped the side prepare for the Champions League Twenty20 2010.

Shane Bond, who took 87 Test wickets at 22.09 and 147 One Day International wickets at 20.88 besides 25 Twenty20 International wickets, is arguably the best fast bowler New Zealand produced after Richard Hadlee.

His impressive record in all the three formats of the game would largely help him in inspiring the young and upcoming fast bowlers in New Zealand but he will have a senior in the side in Chris Martin who is six months older than Bond.

The BlackCaps are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka before touring South Africa followed by home and away series against England.