WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – New Zealand Cricket says Shane Bond will step down as bowling coach of its national team when the World Cup ends in March.
The former international paceman’s contract ends at the completion of the tournament and he has advised NZC he will not seek an extension.
Bond has been credited with improving New Zealand’s current bowling attack – based around swing bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee – into a world-class unit.
NZC head of cricket Lindsay Crocker said “we’re very disappointed to be losing Shane. He’s given great value to the Black Caps programme and we were hopeful of having the benefit of his input over the next few seasons”.
Meanwhile, Boult has forced his way into the 15-man squad for the World Cup after outstanding Test performances.
Boult has played 30 Tests but only 10 One-Day Internationals since his New Zealand debut in 2011. He has 110 wickets in Tests at an average of 27.4 and only 10 in ODIs at 39.6.
But he has become the spearhead of the New Zealand attack, taking 38 wickets in Tests in the past 12 months and returned to the one-day side for matches against South Africa in October.
Veteran seamer Kyle Mills edged youngster Matt Henry to claim another of the fast bowling spots, alongside Boult, Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan and tearaway Adam Milne.
Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori, who will turn 36 during the tournament and is a veteran of 280 One-Day internationals, has been selected but may take a secondary role behind off-spinner and allrounder Nathan McCullum.
Grant Elliott is a surprise selection, winning a position as an allrounder ahead of Jimmy Neesham. Elliott played the most-recent of his 51 One-Day Internationals in November, 2013.
Opener Martin Guptill retained his place despite indifferent recent form – he has a highest score of 58 since his century against India in January – but he has started to show form in domestic matches. Tom Latham, who has recently clinched the Test opening role, will bat in the middle order.
Captain Brendon McCullum described the squad as the strongest New Zealand World Cup line-up he has been associated with.
New Zealand will play the opening match of the World Cup against Sri Lanka in Christchurch on February 14.
New Zealand squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Dan Vettori, Kane Williamson.
