The New Zealand cricket team revealed that Shane Bond will be joining the squad’s coaching staff in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Gary Stead, the squad’s head coach openly welcomes Bond to the team.
‘The fourth coach for me is an opportunity to bring in different voices to the environment and we’ve used it in a whole host of ways in the past. Shane is someone who always adds value and we’re delighted to have him on board’, Gary Stead said, the squad’s head coach.
It is not Bond’s first time to coach the squad. He spent three years as their bowling coach from 2012 to 2015 and also helped the team during the 2019 Twenty20 International against England.
According to Stead, Bond is already familiar with the squad and won’t have a difficult time coaching the team. These changes might have a huge effect on the Simulated Reality League livescore odds. Stead also hopes that Bond’s coaching experience in the T20 World Cup will benefit the squad.
‘Shane’s been working away with New Zealand players for a long time and he’s been involved in our recent camps so it’s been good for him to reacquaint himself with our guys. He’s held in high regard and I know he’ll bring a lot of knowledge and opinions to the group’, Stead added.
Bond is a former cricketer who is regarded as New Zealand’s best fast bowler since Richard Hadlee. He also represented New Zealand in Twenty20 International, Test, and One-day International series. The 46-year-old coach was also a right-arm fast bowler with the fastest recorded delivery at 156.4 km/h against India during the World Cup in 2003.
Possible Afghanistan-Pakistan series halt after Taliban takeover
The officials of the Sri Lankan cricket board said that they are not sure whether the T20 match series between Afghanistan and Pakistan on September 1 will push through following the Taliban’s rise to power. The T20 World Cup at the United Arab Emirates in October is also in doubt.
The officials of the International Cricket Council (ICC) assured that efforts are made to keep the Afghan cricket players in a safe place. The series was originally set in Dubai but was changed to Sri Lanka.
Moreover, Mohan de Silva, the Sri Lanka Cricket secretary said that they are ready to host the tournament. All of the preparations are also underway. De Silva also reminded that the two teams should be in Sri Lanka by next week due to coronavirus precautions.
According to the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s website, the national team met with the top officials and said that they will be rewarded. This is because of the squad’s good performance against Pakistan.
Former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait will be the bowling coach of the team. He represented Australia across three forms of cricket and won four different awards including the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year in 2004.
With the uncertainty of whether the series will continue or not, both teams are still on the run to stay in good condition. Be updated with the latest odds and keep watch of the Simulated Reality League livescore as you cheer for your favourite team.