Cricket: Bruce Edgar to coach Wellington

Bruce Edgar has revealed his reasons for leaving New Zealand cricket. Photo / Dean Purcell

Cricket Wellington has appointed Bruce Edgar as the new head coach of the Wellington Firebirds on a three-year contract.

Edgar has an extensive playing background for Wellington and New Zealand, playing 87 first-class matches for Wellington and 39 tests and 64 one-day internationals for New Zealand, over a career spanning 15 years.

After retiring from cricket Edgar forged a successful career in finance and banking, while also remaining involved in cricket as a coaching adviser and selector, most recently in NSW. Edgar also performed the role of national selection manager for New Zealand Cricket from 2013-15.

Cricket Wellington chief executive Peter Clinton was pleased to have secured the services of Edgar, after a thorough coach selection process that included applications from around the world.

"The appointment of Bruce Edgar is a major step for Cricket Wellington and the future of the Wellington Firebirds. Bruce is widely renowned for his cricket intelligence and the highly professional approach he takes to his work and challenges," Clinton said.

"I'm very keen to see his coaching talents and the sense of provincial pride he'll bring to the role, but sitting above all that I'm most keen to see his leadership guiding and driving our Firebirds programme."

Edgar was delighted to have secured the Firebirds head coach role.

"As a former Wellington player I'm acutely aware we are a proud province with a rich cricketing history. Very few people get the privilege of coaching at their former province, and this is an opportunity that I am hugely excited about," he said.

"The Firebirds have a talented playing roster with a number of exciting young players and I look forward to contributing to their ongoing development and success."

Director of cricket Robbie Kerr said that Edgar's all-round cricket experience and leadership skills would allow the wider Firebirds squad to build on the progress and recent success of former coach Jamie Siddons.

"Bruce brings outstanding planning and communications skills to the role. His knowledge of the first-class game in New Zealand and the skills required for players to get to the next level will be of significant benefit to our squad. Glenn Pocknall (assistant coach) is making huge strides as a coach and Brent Arnel has combined his playing and bowling coach roles expertly. It is a fantastically well-rounded coaching team that will together lead our Firebirds and the wider elite player group."

Edgar begins his role on August 3.