In a significant development, New Zealand Cricket announced on Wednesday that former English internationals Ian Bell and James Foster will be contributing to the coaching setup of the Black Caps during their upcoming white-ball tour of England, scheduled to commence next week.

New Zealand’s performance manager, Simon Insley, highlighted that the inclusion of Ian Bell and James Foster from England will serve as a valuable addition to the Kiwis’ backroom staff. Insley expressed his confidence that their experience and expertise will greatly enhance the team’s coaching dynamics.

“Ian Bell has had a broad range of experiences as batting coach since retiring,” Insley stated. Bell, who retired from professional cricket in 2020 after a remarkable 118 Tests for England, brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. He was a key contributor to five Ashes-winning campaigns against Australia. For the upcoming tour, Bell will initially assume the role of New Zealand’s assistant coach for the four Twenty20 matches against England. Subsequently, he will transition to the role of batting coach for the four-game one-day series against England the following month, as well as for the three ODIs in Bangladesh.

James Foster, the former wicketkeeper who represented England in seven Tests, will also be a pivotal part of New Zealand’s coaching endeavor. Foster’s extensive coaching history, along with his international playing experience, adds depth to his contributions. He is set to assume the role of Black Caps’ assistant coach during the England ODI series and will continue in the same capacity for the 50-overs World Cup in India, set to commence in October.

Adding to the expertise, New Zealand’s coaching staff will also welcome the presence of former batting great Stephen Fleming during the England ODI series.