Jurgensen leaving Caps to coach in capital
The bowling coach who oversaw the development of some of the Black Caps’ best is set to leave the team after a decade in the role.
Shane Jurgensen will step down following this year’s Cricket World Cup to become head coach of Wellington, finishing his tenure as the Black Caps’ longest-serving coach.
Since returning for his second stint in 2016, Jurgensen helped New Zealand rise to No 1 in the world in all three formats, reach two limitedovers World Cup finals and claim the World Test Championship in 2021.
The 47-year-old former first-class bowler said the decision to move on was not easy.
“It has truly been a privilege to be part of this team for nearly a quarter of my life,” Jurgensen said.
“I’ve seen Tim Southee and Trent Boult as teenagers in 2008 and watched them grow into adults, husbands and fathers.
“This team has meant so much to me and all I’ve ever wanted to do was make a contribution to help and support our people to become the best version of themselves.
“The Black Caps is a special environment which I will dearly miss but I will leave with so many fond memories and lifelong friends.”
Jurgensen has helped develop a formidable stable of seamers including Southee, Boult, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne.
He said the allure of being a fulltime head coach and the chance to spend more time with his family influenced his decision.
New Zealand Cricket high performance manager Bryan Stronach saluted Jurgensen’s contribution to one of the most successful eras in the team’s history.
“Shane’s been a constant source of stability and strength in the Black Caps environment,” Stronach said.
“Shane’s an exceptionally hard worker, a detailed planner and a great team man who genuinely cares about people. His work with the bowlers speaks for itself; he has been able to assist some of our very best players to get the most out of themselves, while also bringing through and nurturing some of our younger pace bowlers.”
Henry said Jurgensen would be missed for a number of reasons.
“Shane’s been an integral part of the group for such a long time, and the bowling group in particular have experienced so many special memories and moments with him,” Henry said yesterday.
“He’s obviously a fantastic bowling coach and someone I’ve learned a lot from and have enjoyed working with immensely.
“Jurgo’s such a fun and energetic guy, always buzzing around, marking the run-ups and having a laugh — we’ll definitely miss that big smile.
“We also can’t forget about his wife Vanessa’s baking, which Shane would bring on tour and surprise us with at the bowlers’ meetings.”