Sydney Thunder sign up former New Zealand cricketer as new Head Coach

The Sydney Thunder franchise of the Big Bash League (BBL) has recently made a big appointment for the upcoming seasons of the tournament. They have appointed a new head coach for the team. Former New Zealand cricketer Shane Bond is set to take up the role of the head coach of the team. Bond signed a three year deal with the franchise.

Shane Bond will be replacing Paddy Upton as the head coach of the Thunder. This, in essence, means that Bond is set to quit his job at the Brisbane Heat. He has been working with the Heats in the capacity of the bowling coach. Speaking about the opportunity of becoming the head coach, Bond, as per the quotes in ESPNcricinfo, remarked that it would be great to head a programme at a club.

“The chance to lead a programme at a club which is full of great people on and off the field was very appealing. I want to win trophies and have a squad of players and coaches that other teams are envious of. There’s some exciting young players in the Thunder squad as well as some experienced old bulls, if we can blend that together we’ll have a successful team. I’m looking forward to getting to Western Sydney and meeting the players and everyone in the organisation,” Shane Bond quoted.

Speaking further on the same note, he noted that it will hard to bid adieu to the Brisbane Heat. Shane Bond remarked that he thoroughly enjoyed his stint with the Brisbane Heat and called them to be a great franchise. He was associated with the Heats for a very long time. Now, he is keen on doing well for the Sydney Thunder as well.

“It’ll be sad to say goodbye to the Brisbane Heat, they’re a great franchise who have been very good to me. I’ve been a bowling and assistant coach for eight years, but you’re always thinking about how you’d do things yourself if you were leading a side. I love to coach, not just manage people and I enjoy making players better cricketers. The supporters are very passionate in Sydney and hopefully we can play some good cricket for them to get behind,” mentioned the former Kiwi cricketer.

Equipped to coach at the highest level

Meanwhile, the general manager of the franchise has showered praises on Shane Bond. He remarked that Bond has been doing a great job in the management roles. He feels that the former cricketer is totally quipped to be a full time head coach of any team at the moment. The experience that he has in the shortest format of the game in the managerial roles is a big plus.

“Shane is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading bowling coaches and I have no doubt he is ready and equipped to be a head coach. He has extensive T20 club and international experience and he has shown all the requirements for contemporary, world-leading, T20 coaching,” Thunder general manager Lee Germon quoted.

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