Former England all-rounder, Dimitri Mascarenhas, has signed a two-year deal with the New Zealand Cricket Board for the role of bowling coach. He replaces Shane Bond, who quit the job after the conclusion of ICC World Cup 2015. Mascarenhas was the interim bowling coach for New Zealand’s tour of England and has impressed captain Brendon McCullum and the team management to win the full-time responsibility.
Lindsay Crocker from New Zealand Cricket (NZC), who was along with the Black Caps when they toured England, had great things to say about Mascarenhas. “Dimitri has impressed in the short time he’s been with the Black Caps and we’re delighted he’s accepted the offer to continue working with the side,” said Crocker.
“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,” he added.
Mascarenhas welcomed the offer with open arms and expressed his happiness saying, “I’m very much looking forward to being a part of this organisation and playing my part in helping us progress further.” He also said that New Zealand have been blessed by some great young talent who could go on to become bowling legends.
Mascarenhas has himself featured in 20 ODIs and 14 T20s for England. In his brief career, he also played for various franchises like Kings XI Punjab as well as Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL. He also has the fame of having hit Yuvraj Singh for 5 consecutive sixes in an ODI against India.
