Shane Bond to work as bowling consultant with England for Ashes

Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond’s role as the bowling consultant of England for Ashes has been confirmed. The Kiwi players will once again plot the downfall of his Australian counterparts, this time in a different role. One of New Zealand’s best fast bowlers will be with the Brits for the first two Tests of the Ashes series, starting in November. Earlier today, the selectors named the 16-man squad for the prestigious series in Australia.

Bond is currently the head coach of New Zealand  A and is in India where his team is involved in 2 four-day matches and 5 one-dayers. However, his contract will expire by the end of this tour in mid-October and will be free to join the England team in November. He won’t be with England for the whole tour as he is already contracted to Brisbane Heat, coached by his former team-mate Daniel Vettori, for the Big Bash League starting on December 19.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released the statement in which they confirmed the appointment of Shane Bond for the first two Test matches of Ashes series.

“In addition to current full-time members of staff, former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has been appointed fast bowling consultant and will be part of the England management team up to the end of the second test in Australia,” the statement said.

The first two Tests are scheduled to be played in Brisbane at the Gabba and in Adelaide respectively. The latter will host the first ever day-night Ashes match on December 2.

England recall Vince, Ballance for Ashes

Earlier today, the England squad was announced for the five-match Test series in Australia starting November 23. The selectors handed maiden calls to wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes and pacer Craig Overton. James Vince and Gary Ballance were also recalled after failing to find the potential players in the middle order throughout the home season. Tom Westley was the major name missing from the squad as he was a part of the team which defeated Windies earlier this month in the Test series.