Bond has sights on head coach role

Shane Bond, the former New Zealand fast bowler, feels the time is right for him to become a head coach, particularly of an Indian Premier League franchise, but would not be drawn into speculation linking him to the role of England’s bowling coach for the first three Ashes Tests in Australia later this summer.

Bond is currently on a short-term contract as New Zealand A coach for the tour of India, where they will play two four-day games and five one-day matches. He also has running contracts as bowling coach of Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League and Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

“I’ve got my sights on a head coaching role, but it’s how it all lines up with everything else in your life,” he told the Dominion Post. “I’ve got great opportunities with Brisbane and the IPL and I really enjoy them.”

Talk of Bond possibly taking over as England’s bowling coach on a short-term deal – which could allow him to complete his contractual obligations with Heat – has been doing rounds since Ottis Gibson’s exit. The former West Indies fast bowler resigned as England’s bowling coach at the end of the home summer to become South Africa’s head coach. Bond, however, was non-committal.

“My kids are at an age where I want to be around and not miss too much,” he said. “Every opportunity you’ve got to look at and weigh up what’s best for the important people around you. I’d love to be involved with the IPL [as a head coach]. I love the New Zealand cricket team and would like to have another period of involvement. I’m just not quite sure when that’s going to be.”

Bond’s short-term deal as New Zealand A coach came after his involvement as a skills coach with New Zealand Cricket. Previously, he had stints as bowling coach of the New Zealand men’s and women’s teams. For now, he has his sights firmly on the A-team tour of India, where he will manage a group of players, many of whom, have already represented New Zealand.

“I’m really clear about how I want to run things,” he said. “I want to mirror the games and put players under pressure at training as much as we can. At this level people expect you to win, it’s not going to happen all the time but you’ve got to take that attitude.

“Our job, first and foremost, is to make players better. We have to prepare the guys on our tour to push for Black Caps selection straight after, and put them in the best possible position to succeed on that trip. That’s the exciting thing for us.”

Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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