Assistant coaches Luke Ronchi and Jacob Oram from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have been given permission to coach Islamabad United in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. Ronchi, who previously played for the team, will lead as head coach, while Oram will assist him. Due to their commitments in the PSL from late March to April, they will miss New Zealand’s matches against South Africa and the Bangladesh tour.
Mike Sandle, the performance manager of New Zealand, expressed support for the coaches’ decision to take up this coaching opportunity. He mentioned that this experience would help them grow and bring back valuable knowledge for the benefit of the BLACKCAPS and NZC in the future. Other coaches will step in to support the team during the absence of Ronchi and Oram.
Jonny Bassett-Graham and Graeme Aldridge will assist head coach Rob Walter during the South Africa series, while Brendon Donkers will join the support staff for the Bangladesh tour. Sandle highlighted the positive impact of this opportunity on the coaching depth within NZC and expressed hope that the coaches would bring back valuable insights to enhance domestic setups.
New Zealand is set to play South Africa in the first T20I match at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, kicking off a five-match series that will also feature the women’s cricket teams from both countries.
