IPL-winning coach joins New Zealand coaching staff ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

New Zealand have roped in their former captain and IPL-winning coach Stephen Fleming ahead of CWC 2023.

In search of their first-ever World Cup title, New Zealand have announced a few big entries in their setup. They have inducted a five-time Indian Premier League title winner and their former captain, Stephen Fleming, into their support staff. Along with Stephen Fleming, NZC have also inducted former English middle order batter Ian Bell, wicket-keeper James Foster, and former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq into their support staff. They will all be working under New Zealand’s head coach, Gary Stead. Fleming is likely to play the assistant role, while Ian Bell might get the batting consultant role. Saqlain might get a spin consultant role, and Foster might fit in a fielding coach role.

Gary Stead welcomes Stephen Fleming

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead has welcomed the new appointments eyeing cricket’s most coveted trophy, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Stead said, “I think Flem will be great for players on the side of it and also good for the staff as well. He’s got an immense amount of knowledge in that part of the world (India) and has coached in the IPL right from the start of the competition. So he’s coached in all those areas where we are going to play.” Stephen Fleming has been associated with the Chennai Super Kings since the first season. He also led the NZ squad in three World Cup events (1999, 2003, and 2007) and ended up playing in two semi-finals as captain.

New Zealand are set to play England in four ODIs and four T20I games next month before the World Cup. All these names will join the squad on the same tour. Gary Stead praised James Foster and said that his experience will come in handy for the Blackcaps. Stead said, “James will come to the World Cup; he’s got a lot of experience in the IPL with the KKR side, and in an assistant coach role there, he’s worked with video analysts, so he’ll give us a lot of information and knowledge for us to consider when we approach all the different venues in the World Cup.” James Foster has been associated with KKR for the last four seasons.

Saqlain Mushtaq has been a big inclusion in New Zealand’s support staff. Indian conditions will be favourable to spinners, and they will have a big impact on the tournament. Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq will be an impactful inclusion in that sense. New Zealand will open their World Cup campaign against England at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5. The Kiwi team played two back-to-back finals in the last two editions, in 2015 and 2019. In 2019, they missed out on a title by the barest of margins. New Zealand recently played a T20I series against the UAE in Dubai.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.