I’m Ready to go Into Head Coach Role – Shane Bond
Jan 6, 2019 at 3:51 AM
The Story
The departure of Ottis Gibson, who is set to become South Africa’s head coach, has created a vacancy for the role of bowling coach in Trevor Bayliss’ English coaching team.
The search, however, is not expected to be hectic or lengthy, as the ECB seems to have already made up their mind about an immediate suitable replacement. It is almost confirmed that England is set to name former New Zealand quick Shane Bond as the fast-bowling consultant for the first three Ashes Tests later this year.
The 42-year-old is regarded as the fast bowling legend who never happened to become one. During his peak in the 2000s, he was among the world’s fastest bowlers, but persistent injuries limited his career to just 18 Tests. He ended with 87 wickets at an average of just 22 and currently emerging as one most highly regarded coaches in the cricketing circuit.
But, before ECB finalises the candidate, Bond will be gearing up to take up another challenge that will add another feather to his coaching career.
Bond Ready to Take up the Task
Shane Bond is looking forward to becoming a head coach after having spent seven years as a specialist bowling coach. He will be taking up the head coach’s role for the New Zealand A side for the tour of India which comprises of two first-class matches and five limited-overs games. New Zealand A will depart for India on Tuesday.
“I think it’s time and I’m ready to go into a head coach role having been an assistant coach for seven years now,” Bond told 1 News Now on Monday (September 18).
“I’ve got really clear ideas about how I want to run things over there with a really good team behind me, and we will just reflect on it at the end of the series.”
Bond has some good stints in his coaching profile which includes bowling coach’s role with New Zealand national side and T20 franchise like Mumbai Indians and Brisbane Heat.
“I love being a bowling coach, but I think it gives a different perspective in terms of my own personal development, it’s a new challenge, and I think it will be good for me,” Bond said. “I think you always like to sometimes put your own stamp on things and I think the only way to know if you really want to do actually gets in and do it.”
Bond’s maiden tour as head coach begins with the first of the two unofficial ‘Tests’ at Vijayawada on (Saturday) September 23.