Former Black Caps wicket-keeper BJ Watling has been appointed white ball head coach of the Wellington Firebirds.
BJ Watling Photo: PHOTOSPORT
He'll be joined by Welshman Toby Radford who joins as specialist batting coach.
Watling is appointed to his first head coach role since retiring following the World Test Championship final success in June last year.
During his 13 year international career, Watling played 75 Tests, 28 ODI's and five T20 internationals.
36 year old Watling has been preparing for a coaching career throughout his playing days and, since retiring, has worked as Northern District's Network Coach in the Waikato and as Northern Districts A head coach.
"I'm obviously pretty excited, this is a great opportunity for me and family," said Watling.
"I've played against the Firebirds a fair bit in my time and, watching them over the past few seasons, I've certainly been impressed with the caliber of players they have and they're starting to produce Black Caps regularly now which is exciting.
"This is my first head coach role at this level, so there'll be plenty of challenges which is good, and I'm looking forward to working with a very talented group.
"I know Bruce (Edgar) well and he's great coach, with lots of experience and I'll be leaning on him for support throughout the season, we've got a great support staff group so I'm looking forward to working and learning from them."
Watling will join Bruce Edgar as support coach for the Firebirds in red ball cricket and will also offer specialist wicketkeeping coaching across the Firebirds, Blaze, and Cricket Wellington pathway teams.
BJ Watling and Ross Taylor Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Radford joins Cricket Wellington following completion of his role as Head of High Performance at Bangladesh Cricket.
The former Middlesex and Sussex County cricketer spent 10 years as batting coach and assistant coach of the West Indies men's team and was a part of the side that lifted the ICC T20 World Cup in 2012.
He has previously held head coach roles in England with Glamorgan and Middlesex, where he lifted the T20 Cup in 2008.
An expert in developing young players, Radford launched the Middlesex Cricket Academy in 2003 which the ECB subsequently used as their Academy blueprint.
He has also worked to set up academies in the West Indies and Bangladesh and has experience coaching England age-group teams supporting the England Young Lions as batting coach at the 2022 U19 World Cup where they finished second.
"I am delighted to be joining Cricket Wellington and looking forward to working with all the staff and players," said Radford.
"I have long admired the professionalism and quality of New Zealand cricket and cricketers and the opportunity for me to work with such a prestigious and successful side as the Wellington Firebirds excites me greatly.
"I can't wait to get out there to work with everyone in one of the best places around!"
The pair replace Glenn Pocknall who has been in charge in all three formats of the game for the last three years.
Cricket Wellington will confirm the appointment of a specialist bowling coach in the coming weeks.
