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.

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Shane Bond may return as BlackCaps bowling coach

By Jamie Pierce

WELLINGTON (TheSportsNext) August 30, 2012: Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond on Thursday showed his interest in filling up the void created by Damien Wright in the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) saying he was ready to get associated with the board but not without knowing the job description before any commitment.

 

Talking to reporters here, Shane Bond, 37, who has also served the Police department, said that the NZC should hire him to coach Kiwi fast bowlers as he has got enough experience of international cricket to garner their skills.

Shane Bond is considered as one of the finest fast bowlers of the modern-era cricket and the current New Zealand bowlers rely on his advice for getting control and pace.

The NZC has got a great chance of getting services of a talented cricketer like Shane Bond and if the authorities can rope him in then it would help them negate the public ire following untoward dealing with former Kiwi great John Wright, Mark Greatbatch told TheSportsNext.com.

Bond said, "I am interested in the role, but I want to know more. There's not much else to say really, until I see a job description."

Craig McMillan, who is in India for commentary assignments, also put his “weight” behind the former teammate saying, "Shane's a few years removed from the team now and I think he'd do a great job. In terms of knowledge and ability to help the young fast-bowlers, I think he'd be a superb appointment."

Shane Bond has recently worked with the NZC in a similar role at a training camp alongside national assistant coach Bob Carter.

If we take a look at the current bowling talent in the BlackCaps side, there is nothing really to talk about as apart from Chris Martin and Kyle Mills nobody else has stepped up his game and while the young bowlers are coming through into the team, the New Zealand do need someone like Shane Bond to fast-track the talent into real bowling resource. Tim Southee has once again lost his cutting edge while Chris Martin is getting closer to retirement.

Sources told this correspondent that Shane Bond is a favorite to get the job because the head coach Mike Hesson believes in hiring services of a local bowling coach and he would have a huge say in the hiring process.

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