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Jurgensen to continue as NZ bowling coach until end of 2019

Shane Jurgensen has been given an extension as New Zealand's bowling coach with NZC awarding him a full-time contract until the end of 2019

Shane Jurgensen was head coach of Bangladesh from 2012 to 2014  •  AFP

Shane Jurgensen was head coach of Bangladesh from 2012 to 2014  •  AFP

Shane Jurgensen will continue as New Zealand's bowling coach until the end of 2019, New Zealand Cricket has announced. Jurgensen had worked in an interim capacity since February this year, but has now been awarded a full-time contract.
"We got to know Shane and got to know how he worked with the group," New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson said. "He's very hard-working. He put in a lot of work behind the scenes with scouting and providing the guys with information. That's certainly something you can't underestimate. He's also technically very good. It's about providing him some security and us with some consistency."
Jurgensen had overseen New Zealand's attack during the World T20, where they impressed, but has since also been part of a less successful tour of India. This is his second stint as New Zealand's bowling coach, having also held the role between 2008 to 2010.
Jurgensen's most high-profile work to date had been as head coach of Bangladesh, from 2012 to 2014. During that time, Bangladesh whitewashed New Zealand in a home ODI series, and drew their first Test against Sri Lanka, in Galle. Hesson suggested Jurgensen's range of experience was a factor in his appointment, while family circumstances played a role as well.
"His knowledge of all conditions and his overall experience has been evident during his time with us," Hesson said. "Shane was on a trial, I guess, really - to see how he fitted into the group and also to see how he enjoyed it. But his wife's a Kiwi and he's keen to move over here. We wanted someone who was based in New Zealand as well."
The New Zealand coaching staff's immediate focus will be on the long home summer, which begins with a Test against Pakistan on Thursday. Bangladesh and South Africa are also due to visit in the coming months.
"New Zealand has a hugely talented group of bowlers who aren't afraid to put the hard work in," Jurgensen said. "They want to be the best in the world and it'll be my mission to help them achieve that goal."

Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo's Sri Lanka correspondent. @andrewffernando