Black Caps: Mascarenhas named as bowling coach for England tour

Dimitri Mascarenhas. Photo / Paul Taylor

Former England international Dimitri Mascarenhas has been appointed as New Zealand bowling coach for the upcoming cricket tour of England.

Mascarenhas played 20 one-day internationals for his country and will replace the current bowling coach Shane Bond, who will finish with the team at the end of the Cricket World Cup.The 37-year-old is currently the Otago coach and is an experienced bowling coach, both at county, Indian Premier League and Big Bash level.

"We are delighted to have someone of Dimitri's experience and skill in the Black Caps coaching team," New Zealand Cricket head of cricket said. "He has worked well with Otago's bowlers and we know he will add value to the team with his vast experience of the English players and conditions.

"He has proved popular in New Zealand, previously as a player and now as a coach and will be a good fit; both in the culture of the side and the skill set required to complement Mike Hesson and his staff."

His term commences on April 15 when Otago's players go off contract and their end-of-season reviews are complete.

"After being in New Zealand for only a year, to have an opportunity like this come up is pretty special and I am honoured to be chosen for this position," Mascarenhas said.

"Bondy [Shane Bond] has done an extremely good job with his bowling unit; they have operated with real pace, skill and tactical awareness.

"During this World Cup they have been phenomenal and I am looking forward to working with those guys to keep developing them and helping them achieve success on the international stage."

Mascarenhas is sure his local knowledge of both pitches and players will be a huge asset when the team arrives in England.

"I am newly out of the scene there as a player and I know most of the guys in the current team very well. The new guys I have played a lot with in county cricket and I know all the grounds we are playing at intimately so those factors will be useful in terms of the scouting and bowling plans."

Mascarenhas said more than anything it was a huge thrill to back in the international arena.

"I came to New Zealand with high ambitions for my coaching so to achieve a position like this is hugely satisfying and I look forward to adding value to the Black Caps bowling unit to ensure they remain one of the best teams in the world."

A long-term decision on role will be made mid-year, with the team's next tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa not until the end of July.