The Name's Bond, Coach Shane Bond For New Zealand

The Name's Bond, Coach Shane Bond For New Zealand

Shane Bond has been named as New Zealand's new bowling coach

©REUTERS / Action Images

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have unveiled former speedster Shane Bond as the man to replace Damien Wright as their new bowling coach.

Bond, 37, played for New Zealand in 18 Tests, 18 One-Day Internationals and 20 Twenty20 Internationals before retiring in 2010 with a reputation as one of the best fast bowlers New Zealand have ever produced.

He will join the squad in time for their tour of Sri Lanka, which begins at the end of the month.

"Shane’s international record speaks for itself and in recent years he has developed into a highly skilled coach and mentor," NZC Director of Cricket John Buchanan said.

"The BLACKCAPS have some very important cricket coming up and we are delighted to have Shane on board to help develop and prepare our international bowling attack.

"His knowledge of the modern game will be a valuable asset to the team and he has the skillset to complement Mike Hesson and Bob Carter."

Bond would have represented the Black Caps far more than he did but for a string of injuries and an ill-fated sojourn with the Indian Cricket League and he is now looking forward to the next stage of his non-playing career.

"This is a role I have worked towards since I stopped playing," he said. "I've enjoyed a range of coaching experiences around both men's and women's teams alongside some very good coaches and feel I'm ready to add something to the team.

"The experience of playing for New Zealand exceeded my expectations and I'm sure it will be no different as a coach. I'm really excited about working with the team.

"I'm looking forward to being back involved at the highest level and the challenge of coaching on the international stage."

© Cricket World 2012