New Zealand‘s performance in recent ODI World Cups has been consistently impressive, with the team finishing as the runners-up in both the 2015 and 2019 editions of the tournament. As they prepare for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is set to begin on October 5, the Blackcaps have made strategic additions to its coaching staff. These additions are aimed at effectively managing the coaching workload in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Before their World Cup campaign, New Zealand is scheduled to engage in a series of T20 Internationals and ODIs against England. This series will take place from August 30 to September 15. Following that, the team will travel to Bangladesh for a three-match ODI series in the latter part of September.
New Zealand rope in ex-England cricketers
To enhance their coaching team, New Zealand has enlisted the expertise of former England internationals Ian Bell and James Foster for a four-month period. These additions complement an already distinguished coaching lineup, which includes former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and legendary Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, each assuming various coaching roles.
Bell, an England cricket veteran with 118 Test appearances, 161 ODIs, and 8 T20Is under his belt, will initially take on the role of assistant coach for the upcoming T20I series against England. Subsequently, he will transition into the position of batting coach for the four-game ODI series and maintain this role throughout the three ODIs in Bangladesh.
During the Bangladesh tour, Luke Ronchi will step into the shoes of the head coach, providing Gary Stead with an opportunity to take a break in preparation for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Foster, a former Test wicketkeeper, will join the coaching staff as an assistant coach for the England ODI series and continue in this capacity during the ODI World Cup, slated to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.
Furthermore, New Zealand will see the return of Stephen Fleming for his second coaching stint, where he will contribute to the ODI series against England. Former Pakistan coach Mushtaq will assume the role of spin coach during the Bangladesh Test series in December, following his involvement with the team during the white-ball tour of in April.
‘We’re looking forward to welcoming the new guys into our group’: Simon Isley
In response to these appointments, New Zealand team manager Simon Insley also expressed her views.
“Ian Bell has had a broad range of experiences as batting coach since retiring, working with Derbyshire, Hobart Hurricanes, England U19 and Lions as well as his current role with the Birmingham Phoenix” Isley was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“James Foster has worked with a number of our Blackcaps through his extensive coaching history which has featured stints as Head Coach in the ILT20, CPL the PSL along with his current role in with KKR in the IPL. We’re looking forward to welcoming the new guys into our group and getting stuck into a busy and important period of cricket for the team.” Insley concluded.
Stead sees Stephen Fleming and team as assets in indian conditions
Stead, the head coach of the Kiwi cricket team, believes that the experience of Fleming and others in Indian conditions will be a valuable asset for the Blackcaps as they strive for success in the upcoming quadrennial event.
“I think Flem [Stephen Fleming] will be great for players on that side of it and also good for the staff as well. He’s got immense amount of knowledge in that part of the world [India] and has coached in the IPL right from the start of the competition, so he’s coached in all those areas where we’re going to play in. So, it might just be the little one-two percenters you can get from that information that could tip the results on your side as well. If things go well you can pick up on some of those small things,” Stead was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“James [Foster] will come to the World Cup; he’s got a lot of experience in the IPL with the KKR side and in an assistant coach role there he’s worked with video analysts, so will give us a lot of information, and knowledge for us to consider when we approach all the different venues in the World Cup,” Stead concluded.
New Zealand’s Coaching Staff (Away Tours)
- England T20Is – Gary Stead, Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen, Ian Bell
- England ODIs – Gary Stead, Shane Jurgensen, Ian Bell, James Foster/Stephen Fleming
- Bangladesh ODIs – Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen, Ian Bell
- World Cup 2023 – Gary Stead, Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen, James Foster
- Bangladesh Tests – Luke Ronchi, Saqlain Mushtaq
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