Dimitri Mascarenhas has been appointed to the position of BLACKCAPS’ bowling coach on a full-time basis.

Appointed in an interim role following the departure of Shane Bond in April 2015, Mascarenhas has been retained on a two-year contract after impressing during the recently completed Test series in England.

New Zealand Cricket’s Head of Cricket, Lindsay Crocker, who was in England for the Test series, said feedback from the BLACKCAPS on Mascarenhas’ performance had been overwhelmingly positive, leading to an offer to fill the role fulltime.

Mr Crocker said,

“

Dimitri has impressed in the short time he’s been with the BLACKCAPS and we’re delighted he’s accepted the offer to continue working with the side.

”

“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.”

As well as being the BLACKCAPS’ bowling coach, Mascarenhas’ duties will include an involvement in NZC’s coach education initiative, and in the High Performance Centre’s winter and A squad training programmes.

Mascarenhas said he couldn’t wait to throw himself into the challenge fulltime.

“I'm very much looking forward to being part of this organisation and playing my part in helping us progress further,” he said.

“The BLACKCAPS are blessed with some outstanding bowlers and it was a privilege to be involved with the side during the Test win in Leeds.

“My immediate aim is to assist the incumbents’ continued development and to help maintain a healthy depth in New Zealand Cricket’s elite bowling stocks.”

Formerly the SBS Bank Otago Volts’ head coach, Mascarenhas played 20 ODIs and 14 T20Is for England between 2007 and 2009, as well as representing the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League, and the Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League.

Source: blackcaps.co.nz