Former Pakistan cricket coach Mickey Arthur will guide the Central Stags' T20 Super Smash title defence this summer.
Arthur was in charge of the Pakistan national team during their one-day and test series against the Blackcaps in the United Arab Emirates last November/December, while also steering them to victory over New Zealand at the Cricket World Cup.
But they lost the fourth and final semi-final spot to the NZ side on net run rate, and failed to progress to the next stage of the tournament, effectively ending Arthur's term with the side.
The South African has coached extensively around the world, including stints with the Proteas (2005-10) and Australia (2011-13), and in Caribbean, Bangladesh and Pakistan T20 leagues.
Arthur steered South Africa to the world's No.1 test ranking, while Pakistan are currently the top-ranked T20 performers.
"I have always admired New Zealand cricket and to work in the system is going to be very exciting," he says.
"This is a great opportunity for me and I can't wait to help the Central Stags defend the title, but also to contribute to an environment of excellence and enhance the skills of the cricketers."
The Stags have contested three straight T20 finals with a squad that features Blackcaps batting star Ross Taylor, and other international players like Doug Bracewell, Adam Milne, Seth Rance, George Worker, Tom Bruce, Ben Wheeler and Ajaz Patel.
Last summer, they trumped a star-studded Northern Districts team in the Super Smash final, with South African import Dean Foxcroft striking 63 runs off 50 balls and the bowlers dismissing the Knights for just 80 in less than 15 overs.
"Mickey is a clearly world-class coach, who most recently saw Pakistan team, now ranked No.1 in the world in T20 cricket," says Central Districts chief executive Pete de Wet.
"With our talented group of players, we know that Mickey will positively impact our group."
The Stags begin their title defence against the Northern Knights on December 18.
Newshub.
