Mascarenhas will be New Zealand’s bowling coach for the next two years

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Former England and Hampshire all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas has been appointed as New Zealand’s full-time bowling coach.

Mascarenhas, who was initially hired on a temporary basis for New Zealand’s ongoing tour of England, will replace Shane Bond, who stepped down after the World Cup.

Mascarenhas has now signed a two-year contract after there was a lot of positive feedback about him during the tw0-Test series between New Zealand and England, which ended as a 1-1 draw.

“I’m very much looking forward to being part of this organisation and playing my part in helping us progress further,” Mascarenhas said. “The Black Caps are blessed with some outstanding bowlers and it was a privilege to be involved with the side during the Test win in Leeds.

“My immediate aim is to assist the incumbents’ continued development and to help maintain a healthy depth in New Zealand Cricket’s elite bowling stocks.”

New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) head of cricket Lindsay Crocker revealed that Mascarenhas will also participate in the board’s coach education initiative and in the High Performance Centre’s winter and A-squad training programmes.

“Dimitri has impressed in the short time he’s been with the BlackCaps and we’re delighted he’s accepted the offer to continue working with the side,” Crocker said. “Both coach Mike Hesson and captain Brendon McCullum have been pleased with his contribution on the tour and have watched him develop excellent working relationships with the bowling group.”