New Zealand Rope in Former India Batting Coach and Sri Lankan Spin Legend Ahead of Afghanistan Test

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have announced that they have roped in the former Sri Lankan international, Rangana Herath and the former India batting coach, Vikram Rathour ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Noida.

Herath has been appointed as the spin-bowling coach for the upcoming three Tests against India and the two Tests in Sri Lanka. He would be replacing Saqlain Mushtaq who has taken up a position with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)

Rathour would be part of the New Zealand camp for the only Test against Afghanistan which is set to take place from September 9 to September 13.

Rathour has played six Tests for India in the late 90s. He was also a selector for the Indian team in 2012 and also led the batting unit under the head coach Rahul Dravid where the team went on to dominate across all formats by reaching the World Test Championship final, ODI World Cup final and winning the T20 World Cup title.

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Herath on the other hand has had vast experience bowling in the subcontinent and is also the most successful left-arm orthodox Test spinner of all time. New Zealand will be banking on his experience bowling in Asian conditions.

The experienced fast bowler, Tim Southee will lead New Zealand and will also have the services of the batting great, Kane Williamson. The likes of Devon Conway, Glen Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and the vice-captain Tom Latham will also be part of the squad.

The Test against Afghanistan will serve as a preparation for a two-match series against Sri Lanka, which is part of the World Test Championship.

After the tour of Sri Lanka, New Zealand will return to India as they take on Rohit Sharma and his men in a three-match Test series, also a part of the WTC calendar.

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New Zealand currently occupy the third spot in the ICC WTC points table behind last edition’s finalists, India and Australia.

With some fine experience on board in the coaching front, New Zealand will hope to pose a massive challenge to the respective home sides as they aim to continue their charge for a top-two spot in the World Test Championship standings.

(with PTI Inputs)