New Zealand cricket roped in Black Caps’ legend Stephen Fleming and former England wicket-keeper James Foster for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India, which starts on October 5. Other than Fleming and Foster, the New Zealand coaching staff will see additions of former England international Ian Bell and Pakistan spin bowling ace Saqlain Mushtaq for tours before and after the World Cup, temporarily.
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Fleming and Foster’s recruitment to the coaching set-up brings valuable experience in Indian conditions as both have worked in the Indian Premier League. Fleming has been the head coach of Chennai Super Kings and has won five titles in the 14 years at the helm. While Foster is an assistant coach with the Kolkata Knight Riders and has coached in tournaments around the world.
"I think Flem will be great for players on that side of it and also good for the staff as well," New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said. "He's got [an] immense amount of knowledge in that part of the world [India] and has coached in the IPL right from the start of the competition [from 2009], so he's coached in all those areas where we're going to play in. So, it might just be the little one-two percenters you can get from that information that could tip the results on your side as well. If things go well you can pick up on some of those small things."
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Stephen Fleming and James Foster will link up with the Kiwis on September 8 for the ODI series against England. Foster will then be part of the NZ coaching staff for the ODI World Cup in India. Similarly, Ian Bell will be part of the Blackcaps for September’s Bangladesh series. While Saqlain Mushtaq will join the support staff for the Test series in Bangladesh, later in November.
NZ coaching staff for away tours:
England T20Is (Aug 30- 5 Sept) - Gary Stead, Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen, Ian Bell
England ODIs (Sept 8-15) - Gary Stead, Shane Jurgensen, Ian Bell, James Foster/Stephen Fleming
Bangladesh ODIs (Sept 21-26) - Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen, Ian Bell
ODI World Cup (Oct-Nov) - Gary Stead, Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen, James Foster
Bangladesh Tests (Nov 28 - 10 Dec) - Luke Ronchi, Saqlain Mushtaq, bowling coach TBC
