New Zealand Bowling Coach Shane Jurgensen's Stay Extended Until Test Series Against India

Shane Jurgensen, New Zealand‘s bowling coach, has extended his stay with the national side until the end of the tour to India later in the year.

Previously, it was planned that the 45-year-old will return home after the T20I series which precedes the Test series. Now, however, according to the board, he will be on duty to see off the red-ball matches as well.

“The rearrangement of Jurgensen’s winter touring commitments came about after his scheduled departure on Friday was delayed as a result of visa complications caused by the recent nationwide lockdown,” New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement on Monday.

Kane Williamson’s side will tour India for a T20I series and a 2-Test series – the two Tests will be part of the WTC – later in the year following the T20 World Cup.

Shane Jurgensen was due to join the current squad in Pakistan to take over the reins for the 5-game T20I series starting in Lahore from 25th September; before the T20I series, Babar Azam’s side will host the second-string Black Caps team, lead by Tom Latham, for 3 ODIs from September 17.

Instead of linking up with the team in Pakistan, Shane Jurgensen will now depart directly for the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE in early October, alongside regular New Zealand coaches Gary Stead and Luke Ronchi.

“The silver lining is that Jurgensen is now able to stay on for the two Test tour of India in late November/early December, rather than returning home as previously planned — in accordance with NZC’s player and staff welfare protocols,” the statement further added.

Current New Zealand coaches Glenn Pocknall (head), Graeme Aldridge (bowling) and Tilan Samaraweera (batting) will continue with the squad in Pakistan.

The New Zealand outfit sans most of the World Cup players are coming off a T20I series loss to Bangladesh while Pakistan defeated West Indies away in their last series.

New Zealand and Bangladesh are also in the same group of the Super 12 stage in the T20 World Cup. They will face off on October 26 in Sharjah. India, Afghanistan, and two other teams who will come through from Round 1, are clubbed alongside them in the same group.

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