Grant Bradburn interested in taking up the role of New Zealand coach

Grant Bradburn interested in taking up the role of New Zealand coach

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Grant Bradburn, the current coach of Scotland, stated that he is interested in taking up the role of coaching the New Zealand national side after Mike Hesson stepped down. Bradburn revealed that it has been his dream to coach a full-member nation and Scotland cricket board is in support of that.

A week ago, Mike Hesson stepped down as the coach of New Zealand national team due to personal reasons. With the next year’s world cup in sight, New Zealand has been looking for a potent option to replace Hesson. Grant Bradman, who played seven Tests and 11 ODIs for New Zealand, has shown his interest in taking up the job. 

Bradburn was named as the coach of Scotland in April 2014 and under his stewardship, Scotland performed creditably in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, beating Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. Eventually, they narrowly missed out on a berth in the main event after losing to West Indies in the Super Sixes. Scotland also posted a memorable six-run win over the No.1 ranked ODI side England in Edinburgh last week. The 52-year-old noted that family considerations are also a part of the reason why he would look to return to New Zealand. 

"I would absolutely love to apply for the Black Caps job. It has always been my dream to coach a full member nation, especially my home nation," Bradburn was quoted as saying by Stuff.co.nz on Friday.

"As a family that has always been our intent to come home at some stage and this presents a double opportunity really for me to pursue what would be a dream job and for us as a family to head back home."

Incidentally, Scotland Cricket have already started negotiations with Bradburn over renewing his contract.

"That's really nice that they want to retain me and to have that support, but equally Malcolm Cannon, the CEO, he does realise coaching a full member nation has always been my dream. He is well aware the role has come up and he has been encouraging of me applying for that role. They are well aware that the opportunity with these positions is never perfect in timing," he said.

With Hesson as the coach of the New Zealand set-up, the national team reached the final of the World Cup in 2015 and recorded a winning streak of 13 games across formats during the 2017-18 home season. 

"They've had some excellent success under Mike, and first Brendon McCullum and now Kane Williamson. There is a lot of depth in New Zealand Cricket so it would be important for me to build on and add to that success," he reckoned.

With less than a year to go for the commencement of the 50-over World Cup in England, Bradburn said that he already has thought of a roadmap for the New Zealand side, and added that he would have discussions with New Zealand Cricket before applying for the post.  

"I've already thought about a strategy that I feel would be suited for the Black Caps role, but I think it would be important for me to just talk to NZ Cricket first and just get their feeling on what they believe they need particularly in the short term building towards the World Cup next year," said Bradburn.

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