Former Kiwi pacer and bowling coach –Shane Bond has been appointed as head coach by the Big Bash League (BBL) franchise –Sydney Thunder on Monday.

Shane, who is all set to replace Paddy Upton, who led Thunder to the title in the BBL5, has signed a three-year contract with the franchise on 19 March.

In the last BBL season, the 42-year-old worked as an assistant coach at the Brisbane Heat. He also coached England side at international level, and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

As per Cricbuzz, Bond said of his signing, “The chance to lead a programme at a club which is full of great people on and off the field was very appealing. I want to win trophies and have a squad of players and coaches that other teams are envious of. There's some exciting young players in the Thunder squad as well as some experienced old bulls, if we can blend that together we'll have a successful team.”

Meanwhile, Sydney Thunder General Manager Lee Germon said of Bond, “He is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading bowling coaches and I have no doubt he is ready and equipped to be a head coach. He has the extensive T20 club and international experience and he has shown all the requirements for contemporary, world-leading, T20 coaching.”

About his coaching, former pacer said, “I've been a Bowling and Assistant Coach for eight years, but you're always thinking about how you'd do things yourself if you were leading a side. I love to coach, not just manage people and I enjoy making players better cricketers.”

Bond signed off by saying, “I'm looking forward to getting to Western Sydney and meeting the players and everyone in the organization. The supporters are very passionate in Sydney and hopefully, we can play some good cricket for them to get behind.”