Mascarenhas appointed New Zealand bowling coach

Dimitri Mascarenhas, the former Hampshire and England allrounder, has been appointed New Zealand's bowling coach on a full-time basis. Mascarenhas had taken up the role on an interim basis for the tour of England, replacing Shane Bond, who stepped down as the team's bowling coach after the World Cup.

Mascarenhas, 37, has been retained on a two-year contract and New Zealand Cricket said the appointment had come after positive feedback from the team management on his contributions during the recent Test series in England, which New Zealand drew 1-1.

"Dimitri has impressed in the short time he's been with the BlackCaps and we're delighted he's accepted the offer to continue working with the side," Lindsay Crocker, NZC's head of cricket, said. "Both coach Mike Hesson and captain Brendon McCullum have been pleased with his contribution on the tour and have watched him develop excellent working relationships with the bowling group."

Mascarenhas' duties will also include an involvement in NZC's coach education initiative, and in the High Performance Centre's winter and A-squad training programmes.

Mascarenhas, who was appointed head coach of New Zealand domestic side Otago last year, said his immediate goal would be to assist the development of the national side's current bowling attack and bench strength.

"I'm very much looking forward to being part of this organisation and playing my part in helping us progress further," Mascarenhas said. "The Black Caps are blessed with some outstanding bowlers and it was a privilege to be involved with the side during the Test win in Leeds.

"My immediate aim is to assist the incumbents' continued development and to help maintain a healthy depth in New Zealand Cricket's elite bowling stocks."

Mascarenhas played 34 international matches for England between 2007 and 2009, but enjoyed a successful domestic career, playing for as many as nine franchises including Otago, Hampshire, Melbourne Stars, Hobart Hurricanes, Rangpur Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab, and Wellington. During the course of his 18-year career, he chalked up more than 10,000 runs and 900 wickets across all forms of the game. He also completed an ECB level-three coaching qualification and held player-coach roles with Hampshire, Rajasthan Royals and Hobart Hurricanes.