Cricket: Stephen Fleming among former internationals in Blackcaps coaching ranks

  • 23/08/2023
Stephen Fleming.
Stephen Fleming. Photo credit: Getty Images

Former NZ captain Stephen Fleming will join ex-England internationals Ian Bell and James Foster, as well as Pakistan's Saqlain Mushtaq as part of a Blackcaps coaching carousel surrounding the one-day international World Cup in October.

Bell - a five-time Ashes winner who has been coaching since finishing his playing career in 2020 - will join the Blackcaps as assistant coach for the upcoming T20 series against England, starting later this month.

Bell will then replace Luke Ronchi as batting coach for the four-game ODI series (September 8-15) and continue in the role for the three ODIs in Bangladesh (September 21-26). 

Ronchi will then return and relieve head coach Gary Stead, who will have a short break ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

Fleming's second coaching stint with the Blackcaps will see him join for the ODI series against England, after he has finished his duties with the Southern Brave men in The Hundred.

Ian Bell.
Ian Bell. Photo credit: Getty Images

Former test keeper Foster will come in as an assistant coach for the England ODI series and has also been confirmed in the role for the entire World Cup campaign in October and November.

Foster is currently an assistant coach at the IPL's Kolkata Knight Riders and has previously assisted the Blackcaps in the UAE in 2018.

Former Pakistan coach, Mushtaq, will fill the role of spin coach for the Bangladesh test series in December, after his stint with the team on the white-ball tour of Pakistan in April.

Gary Stead will miss the two test series in Bangladesh (November 28-December 6) and will instead return home to New Zealand to prepare for the start of the Blackcaps' home summer on December 16.

Luke Ronchi will be the head coach on the Bangladesh test tour which will likely be the first assignment for the team’s new bowling coach, with Shane Jurgensen joining Wellington after the World Cup.

Blackcaps manager Simon Insley said the coaching additions were designed to balance the workload of the permanent staff, while also taking the opportunity to introduce fresh voices and ideas to the group.

"The well-being of our players and staff is of vital importance with the sheer amount of cricket being played these days," said Insley.

"Following the T20 team's departure to the UAE (August 12), the team will be on the road right through until December 16 when the test team returns, ahead of a busy home summer.

"That period of time playing, working and simply being away from home is not sustainable and we've worked really hard this winter to ensure everyone from players to staff will receive adequate rest."

The Blackcaps begin their T20 series against England in Durham on Thursday.