Bond 'excited, humbled' by England role
Shane Bond discusses his appointment as bowling consultant for England's Ashes campaign
Shashank Kishore
28-Sep-2017
Shane Bond has a chat with Matt Henry • Getty Images
Shane Bond, the former New Zealand fast bowler, will help plot Australia's downfall during the Ashes by guiding England in a consultancy role. Bond is expected to link up with the England squad four weeks ahead of the Ashes opener in Brisbane starting November 23. Currently in India as head coach of New Zealand A, Bond, who described the series as the "pinnacle" of bilateral contests, took time off to chat with ESPNcricinfo on his upcoming assignment.
How did the deal with England for the Ashes come about?
I was invited to the Champions Trophy as an ICC ambassador. I turned up there and caught up with Andrew Strauss, who I'd played quite a bit against. It was great to have a chat. I knew he was working as the director of cricket and was doing a good job. We chatted about cricket in general, what coaching looks like in the modern environment, the challenges they face and the challenges English cricket is faced with. We had a general discussion, and then I got contacted asking if I'd be interested in working with them. I'd read Ottis Gibson was moving on to another challenge, and Andrew asked me if I'd be interested.
I was invited to the Champions Trophy as an ICC ambassador. I turned up there and caught up with Andrew Strauss, who I'd played quite a bit against. It was great to have a chat. I knew he was working as the director of cricket and was doing a good job. We chatted about cricket in general, what coaching looks like in the modern environment, the challenges they face and the challenges English cricket is faced with. We had a general discussion, and then I got contacted asking if I'd be interested in working with them. I'd read Ottis Gibson was moving on to another challenge, and Andrew asked me if I'd be interested.
What was your reaction when it came out of the blue?
Exciting, humbling, scary….there was a whole range of emotions I faced at the time. But excitement was the main one. You hope you can make a difference. I'll certainly go out there trying to. As I've said, the job of a coach is to make a player, and hopefully the team, better. You've got to think about how you are going to do that. I don't know if any other Kiwi has had an opportunity to work in a series like that. I can't wait! I know a number of the guys. Some of them not really well, but I'm really looking forward to building those relationships and hopefully see those boys have a really successful tour.
Exciting, humbling, scary….there was a whole range of emotions I faced at the time. But excitement was the main one. You hope you can make a difference. I'll certainly go out there trying to. As I've said, the job of a coach is to make a player, and hopefully the team, better. You've got to think about how you are going to do that. I don't know if any other Kiwi has had an opportunity to work in a series like that. I can't wait! I know a number of the guys. Some of them not really well, but I'm really looking forward to building those relationships and hopefully see those boys have a really successful tour.
From a neutral's perspective, what elicits that excitement?
Even as a Kiwi, I grew up with Ashes being the pinnacle cricket event. I've watched videos and documentaries of Bodyline and the history of the Ashes. As a player at the time, I saw how cool the 2005 series. The opportunity to work with the England team for that series was particularly humbling when he [Strauss] asked me. I'm really looking forward to being a part of that England team.
Even as a Kiwi, I grew up with Ashes being the pinnacle cricket event. I've watched videos and documentaries of Bodyline and the history of the Ashes. As a player at the time, I saw how cool the 2005 series. The opportunity to work with the England team for that series was particularly humbling when he [Strauss] asked me. I'm really looking forward to being a part of that England team.
What is it that you're most looking forward to?
There's so much history, great stories and great performances that have gone on to build the tradition that the Ashes is. In my mind, that is still the pinnacle series in world cricket. The excitement that players have when they're picked for the Ashes tells you what it means to be a part of it. Even from a fan's perspective - you sense that it's the ultimate. What I'm looking forward to the most is seeing all the other stuff around it - fans, support, pressure, media, the hype and being involved, getting a really close look at it will be cool for me. I'm really lucky to get an opportunity to be involved in that and hopefully be part of a successful team.
There's so much history, great stories and great performances that have gone on to build the tradition that the Ashes is. In my mind, that is still the pinnacle series in world cricket. The excitement that players have when they're picked for the Ashes tells you what it means to be a part of it. Even from a fan's perspective - you sense that it's the ultimate. What I'm looking forward to the most is seeing all the other stuff around it - fans, support, pressure, media, the hype and being involved, getting a really close look at it will be cool for me. I'm really lucky to get an opportunity to be involved in that and hopefully be part of a successful team.
Your thoughts on England's attack: all bases covered?
There's some experience there, isn't it? I played against Jimmy [Anderson] and Stuart [Broad]. I know Ben Stokes from the IPL. I also know a number of the other players and coaching staff through my experiences in cricket, but actually it doesn't matter what the make-up of the squad is. You just go on with the job you have to do. The fact that I have an understanding of those guys because I've seen them over a number of years is going to help, but again for me it's about starting from scratch. I'll have to first get the trust of the players.
There's some experience there, isn't it? I played against Jimmy [Anderson] and Stuart [Broad]. I know Ben Stokes from the IPL. I also know a number of the other players and coaching staff through my experiences in cricket, but actually it doesn't matter what the make-up of the squad is. You just go on with the job you have to do. The fact that I have an understanding of those guys because I've seen them over a number of years is going to help, but again for me it's about starting from scratch. I'll have to first get the trust of the players.
Is it a challenge to attain your goals in such short span as coach?
We've got four weeks leading into the first Test. That's quite a long period of time - three or four first-class games. It's certainly long enough to make a difference. If I didn't think I could, I wouldn't have accepted the role.
We've got four weeks leading into the first Test. That's quite a long period of time - three or four first-class games. It's certainly long enough to make a difference. If I didn't think I could, I wouldn't have accepted the role.
Will it help to have first-hand view of a pink-ball game in India ahead of the Ashes Test?
The pink ball is a little bit different. It's a shame that the game [India A v New Zealand A] is not at night, That changes the dynamics a little bit. But the job the bowlers have to do is exactly the same. Looking forward to the Ashes, there's a pink-ball Test. Any experience you get with working something different and learn a little bit more about it is a learning opportunity.
The pink ball is a little bit different. It's a shame that the game [India A v New Zealand A] is not at night, That changes the dynamics a little bit. But the job the bowlers have to do is exactly the same. Looking forward to the Ashes, there's a pink-ball Test. Any experience you get with working something different and learn a little bit more about it is a learning opportunity.
Shashank Kishore is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo