Shane Bond interested in England fast bowling coach vacancy but warns of franchise commitments

The 44-year-old previously worked with England’s bowlers during the 2017/18 Ashes series in Australia, a post he described at the time as “pretty humbling”

Shane Bond has admitted he would be interested in becoming England’s new bowling coach, despite currently holding the role on a short-term basis with New Zealand.

The former fast bowler is working with the Black Caps for the last two T20Is of the five-match series against England, while Shane Jurgensen takes a brief break.

The 44-year-old previously worked with England’s bowlers during the 2017/18 Ashes series in Australia, a post he described at the time as “pretty humbling”.

In that scenario, he was filling in for Ottis Gibson, who had left to take over as South Africa’s head coach.

On this occasion, the next full-time incumbent – Darren Gough is currently working with England’s bowlers – will be replacing Chris Silverwood. The former Yorkshire bowler, of course, has moved up to become the side’s head coach.

Asked whether he would be keen to take on the role, Bond said: “Yes, definitely. I think you look at everything that's put in front of you, wherever the opportunities come up.”

He added that he had built up and retains a strong relationship with the seamers he worked with two years ago.

^{Darren Gough is currently working with England's seamers in New Zealand}

“There was a massive clearing of the decks after the World Cup and coaches moved not only in the franchise world but in the international world as well,” he explained.

“Whatever you're doing as a coach, you want something that's going to excite you, hopefully make you better, present a different opportunity.

“I think you look at everything that comes across your door.”

He did add a hint of caution, however. Bond is currently head coach of Sydney Thunder, while acting as Mahela Jayawardene’s bowling coach at Mumbai Indians. He will also join Jayawardene as an assistant at Southern Brave for The Hundred.

“The biggest challenge of the international game is the grind of a coach,” he admitted. “Look at England in particular – 300 days a year on the road, it's challenging on family life.

“Plus I'm happy with what I'm doing, I'll do that for as long as I can.”