Central Districts Cricket has appointed Shane Bond as Assistant Coach for the Central Stags in this year’s HRV Cup. The appointment extends Bond’s coaching association with the team, having fulfilled the same role with the side in South Africa at the Champions League in September.
Central Districts Chief Executive Hugh Henderson is looking forward to welcoming Bond back into the Stags management team. “Shane joined us for the Champions League in South Africa this year where his experience and input was of real benefit”. Henderson said. “He is someone who sets very high standards and it is this attitude that we will need if we are to successfully defend the HRV Cup”.
Stags’ Coach Alan Hunt was looking forward to linking up again with the former Black Cap. “Having played Twenty20 cricket at the highest level so recently, Shane offers a valuable insight into the tactical and strategic side of the game. Developing and implementing plans about where and how to bowl at the various stages of an innings is critical and Shane offers a lot in this respect.” Hunt said. “We also have a very promising group of young fast bowlers and Shane’s involvement with them is an important part of their ongoing development, so it is great to have him back with us”.
Bond had expressed interest in coaching following his retirement from cricket earlier this year. “It has been something that I always saw myself getting into after I finished playing the game, so to get an opportunity with a team like Central Districts so quickly is fantastic”. Bond said from Wellington where he is promoting his new book Looking Back.
Bond (35) will join up with the Stags following next week’s round of Plunket Shield matches, where the defending champions will also welcome English Internationals Mike Yardy and Ian Blackwell.
“I really enjoyed my time with the Stags at the Champions League. They are a team with great potential and I am really excited at the opportunity to help defend them defend their title.” Bond said. “We learnt a lot in South Africa, and with the addition of two class overseas players it is a hugely exciting time to be involved in the Stags. I’m really looking forward to what will be a great month or so of Twenty20 cricket”
