Photo Credit: New Zealand Cricket
Dion Ebrahim, Dean Brownlie, Graeme Aldridge and Luke Wright will feature on the BLACKCAPS coaching roster this winter as player and support staff well-being continues to be prioritised.
Former Zimbabwe international Ebrahim will join head coach Gary Stead, Shane Jurgensen (bowling) and Luke Ronchi (batting) for the BLACKCAPS Test tour of England, which begins with warm-up matches in Hove (May 20 – 23) and Chelmsford (May 26 – 29).
Stead said the additions reflected the reality of an intensive three-month period of touring ahead, and was consistent with the measures adopted for the BLACKCAPS tours last winter.
Jurgensen will lead the tour to Ireland with support from Ronchi and former England international Luke Wright, with the latter set to stay on with the side through to Scotland and Holland as a fourth coach.
Jurgensen and Ronchi will depart for home post Ireland, with Stead returning as head coach and joined by Aldridge (bowling) and Brownlie (batting) for Scotland, Holland and the West Indies.
“A key lesson from last year’s Covid-enforced schedules was the importance of keeping not just our players fresh, but also our staff,” said Stead.
“We’ve got 14 weeks of non-stop cricket ahead in all three formats and across four countries – along with a T20 World Cup also looming in Australia in October.”
“We need to ensure our coaches are at the top of their games throughout that period, and able to create an environment in which the team can continue to improve and thrive.”
Stead said the squad was familiar with Aldridge and Brownlie, who had been used in similar roles previously, and was looking forward to the fresh ideas and energy Ebrahim and Wright would bring to the group.
“The fourth coach is a role we’ve used in the past for away tours, with the likes of Luke Ronchi, Tilan Samaraweera, Heinrich Malan, Shane Bond, and Jimmy Pamment.
“Along with the practicality of having an extra set of hands, it’s also a way of introducing different voices and skills to the group, as well as giving the fourth coaches themselves an opportunity to learn and develop.
“Dion is a promising new head coach on the domestic scene. I’m sure he will get plenty out of touring with the BLACKCAPS.
“Luke will offer in-depth knowledge of the conditions in the UK and his vast experiences in T20 cricket all around the world.”
The BLACKCAPS depart for England in two groups this weekend.
