Bond stirred by new Phoenix job

FORMER New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has been appointed as Birmingham Phoenix men’s head coach on a two-year contract.

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Shane Bond

Bond will replace countryman Dan Vettori, who left the Phoenix at the end of the 2025 season, and will lead the men’s team into an exciting new era of The Hundred.

The 50-year-old made 120 international appearances for New Zealand, as well as enjoying a brief County Championship stint with Warwickshire in 2002, and since retiring has built a strong track record in coaching, particularly in franchise cricket.

He started his coaching career by taking up the role of bowling coach for the New Zealand national team, before moving to the IPI’s Mumbai Indians in 2015. He helped them to four IPL titles in his eight years as bowling coach, when he then moved to the Rajasthan Royals as assistant coach in 2023.