NZ vs NED | Dean Brownlie joins as New Zealand’s batting coach

The former New Zealand batter Dean Brownlie has been added to New Zealand’s coaching staff ahead of their home series against the Netherlands. Brownlie is set to guide the batting unit in the absence of their regular batting coach Luke Ronchi, who will be staying with the Auckland Aces for the remaining games of the Plunket Shield. 

Blackcaps head coach Gary Stead, who has already worked Brownlie at close quarters in the Northern Districts, shared his thoughts on the new batting coach for the series. 

“Dean was a fine player in his own right, and it’s great to see him now progressing as a coach. I know he’s been working really hard in the ND coaching system and gaining a wide range of experiences that are essential to development. His skills and knowledge of the game will certainly add to our group, and I’m sure he’ll also get plenty out of his time with us”, Stead said. 

In his brief international career, Brownlie represented the Blackcaps in 14 Tests, 16 ODIs, and 5 T20Is. However, Brownlie was regarded as a fine opener in New Zealand’s domestic circuit during his playing days, signified by his first-class cricket stats. 

The stylish right-handed opener played his last international match in an ODI against South Africa at Eden Park back in 2017. 

Before retiring at the end of the 2020-21 session, the Perth-born batter played 94 first-class matches, in which he had amassed 6208 runs at an average of 40. 

Brownlie will bring a lot onto the table, apart from being a sharp mind in the backroom staff, as he has also shared the dressing room with quite a few Kiwi cricketers. Stead, too, back that by further praising the batting coach. 

“This is a good opportunity to grow our coaching depth in New Zealand, while also being mindful of the major associations who are at the business end of the Plunket Shield season,” he further added. 

New Zealand will face the Dutch in one t20I followed by three ODIs in their upcoming home series, which starts from 25th March. While Napier is set to host the solitary t20I, the ODIs will be played in Mount Maunganui and Hamilton.