Shane Bond, the former New Zealand fast bowler, has been named head coach by Paarl Royals for the upcoming SA20 competition. He takes up the vacant position left by JP Duminy, who between seasons became the permanent batting coach of the South Africa men's team.
Bond has been a part of the coaching set-up of several teams in the past, most recently as head coach of MI Emirates in the ILT20 and as fast-bowling coach with Mumbai Indians in the IPL where he won four titles between 2015 and 2020. Bond left both roles in the ILT20 and the IPL to join hands with the Royals Sports Group last month, and in October 2023 was revealed as the new assistant coach and fast-bowling coach of the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. The latest announcement by the Paarl Royals strengthens Bond's role with the group that owns both teams, apart from the Barbados Royals in the CPL.
Bond has previously also been bowling coach for New Zealand between 2012 and 2015 and head coach at Sydney Thunder in the BBL, a position he held between 2018 and 2021. He has also been part of the England team as their bowling consultant.
"It is a new challenge for me personally to be heading to the SA20, but what gives me the belief is the strong squad we have been able to assemble for the upcoming season," Bond said in a press release. "We have so much experience and immense potential in our ranks, which makes me excited to join the group in January and work towards achieving our target of lifting the trophy."
Royals' director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara said of Bond: "The inaugural season provided us with a lot of learnings after our semi-final finish, and we believe that his experience, commitment and vision align well with our goals for the upcoming season."
The 2024 edition of the SA20 tournament will be played between January 10 and February 10. The Royals, led by David Miller, begin their campaign at their home ground of Boland Park on January 12.