Shane Bond in coaching role for Central Districts

Shane Bond, the former New Zealand fast bowler, has been appointed assistant coach of Central Districts for the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa. He will be deputising for coach Alan Hunt and will be in charge of the team's pace attack.

"I love cricket and I love being involved in the game. I think I've got a bit to offer," Bond told the Dominion Post. "I've set some targets that I'd like to coach at a higher level. This is a nice opportunity to cut my teeth and then see what happens. I'm hoping to make a good impression."

Bond played 18 Tests, taking 87 wickets at an impressive average of 22.09. He also represented New Zealand in 82 ODIs and played for Canterbury in the domestic circuit. He announced his retirement from international cricket in May this year after having stepped out of the Test format in December 2009.

Central Districts, led by batsman Jamie How, will be without the services of some of their senior players for the tournament. Ross Taylor will be representing Royal Challengers Bangalore, allrounder Jacob Oram has been ruled out due to an injured knee and Graham Napier has a stress facture of the back. However, they boast a strong pace attack including Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne and Ben Wheeler. A fourth seamer, Bevan Small, will miss the tournament due to an injury.

"CD are lucky to have four of the best young bowlers in the country. They're all very talented and it's quite exciting to be working alongside those guys. Milne and McClenaghan get it through at around 140kmh."

Central Districts qualified for the Champions League by beating Auckland in the final of New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 tournament in January this year. Despite their depleted line-up, Bond was optimistic. "We've got some inexperience but that's one thing that you fly under the radar."