Shane Bond set to work as England bowling consultant for the Ashes

Former New Zealand international Shane Bond is all set to fill up the gap created by the departure of Ottis Gibson in the England coaching line-up. One of New Zealand’s greatest bowlers of all time, Bond will act as the temporary bowling coach for the Three Lions. The fiery right-hander will be appointed as a special consultant for England’s upcoming battle against the Aussies in the Ashes.

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A report in the Daily Mail by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack editor Lawrence Booth said that the news will soon be confirmed as ECB announced Bond as their preferred choice last week. Shane Bond will act as the England bowling consultant for the first three Tests only which will allow him to serve as the bowling coach for Brisbane Heat in Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash competition which is scheduled to kick off on December 19.

Ottis Gibson has left to take over as the head coach of the South African cricket. England will take in applications for the position till the end of September but are happy to go with Shane Bond till a permanent appointment is made. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the speedster but Bond is unlikely to take up the job on a permanent basis due to his commitments towards Brisbane Heat and the Mumbai Indians who won the lucrative Indian Premier League this year in its iconic 10th edition.

New Zealand cricket has given a green signal to bond on the matter and will allow him to threaten the Aussie batsmen once again as he did when he was an active cricketer. Bond is currently in contract with the New Zealand ‘A’ team but it is restricted to the Indian tour only. The team will depart for India on Tuesday lead by captain Henry Nicholas. With this role Bond is back in association with the NZC after resigning from the position of NZ bowling coach after the 2015 World Cup.