Shane Bond appointed head coach of MI Emirates

Former Durham head coach James Franklin will serve as fielding coach for the UAE International League T20 franchise

Shane Bond has been appointed head coach of MI Emirates, one of six franchises set to be involved in the UAE International League T20 in 2023.

The former New Zealand international has worked as a bowling coach with sister franchise Mumbai Indians since 2015 as well as working with the New Zealand national side, Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder at various points post-retirement.

Robin Singh, head coach of the United Arab Emirates national side, has been appointed general manager while former Durham head coach James Franklin will serve as fielding coach. Franklin represented Mumbai Indians in 2011 and 2012.

_{Former Durham head coach James Franklin will serve as the franchise's fielding coach [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

Parthiv Patel and Vinay Kumar, talent scouts within the Mumbai Indians set-up, will serve as batting coach and bowling coach, respectively.

Franchise owner, Akash Ambani, said: "I welcome Shane, Robin, Parthiv, Vinay and James to their new roles in MI Emirates. Having been an integral part of MI for various periods of time, the coaching team is exceptionally well-versed in the values that make MI what it is. I'm sure they would be able to build MI Emirates as a team that attracts the love of passionate MI fans."

Bond added: "It's a privilege to be appointed the head coach of MI Emirates. It's always exciting to build a new team and I'm looking forward to furthering the MI legacy and inspiring our players to take the game to new heights."