BLACKCAPS assistant coaches Luke Ronchi and Jacob Oram have been granted leave by NZC to take up coaching appointments with Islamabad United in the 2026 Pakistan Super League which gets underway later this month.
Ronchi, who played for the franchise from 2017-2021, returns in the role as head coach with Oram confirmed as one of his assistants.
With the PSL starting on March 26 and running until late April followed by the finals, the pair will miss the BLACKCAPS upcoming series against South Africa and the tour to Bangladesh in April.
BLACKCAPS performance manager Mike Sandle said the team and NZC supported Ronchi and Oram pursuing the coaching opportunity.
“This is a great chance for Luke and Jake to further their coaching experience and grow their skills outside of the New Zealand cricket environment,” Sandle said.
“Just like our players, our coaches are in demand around the world and we believe Luke and Jake will not only personally benefit from their time at the PSL, but they will also be able to bring back knowledge and IP that can aid the BLACKCAPS and NZC in the future.”
Sandle confirmed Wellington Blaze coach Jonny Bassett-Graham and NZC network coach Graeme Aldridge would assist Rob Walter in the upcoming South Africa series, with Canterbury’s Brendon Donkers to assist on the tour of Bangladesh.
“One of the added bonuses of Luke and Jake heading to the PSL is the opportunity it affords other coaches in the NZC network,” Sandle said.
“It will be great to have Jonny, Graeme and Brendon join the BLACKCAPS and I’m sure they will get a lot of out their time in the environment and the experience of working alongside our players and support staff.
“Their involvement will naturally help strengthen our high-performance coaching depth and we hope the coaches themselves will be able to take back some of what they’ve learned to benefit the domestic set-ups."
The BLACKCAPS take on South Africa in the first of five KFC T20Is at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, with the series being played as double-headers with the WHITE FERNS and South Africa women.
TVNZ+, TVNZ 1 and Sport Nation will once again be the free-to-air host broadcasters for the series, with the Alternative Commentary Collective covering BLACKCAPS matches via their digital channels.
WHITE FERNS & BLACKCAPS v South Africa – T20I Doubleheaders Schedule – 2.45pm (women) & 7.15pm (men)
1st T20Is, Bay Oval, Tauranga, Sunday, 15 March
2nd T20Is, Seddon Park, Hamilton, Tuesday, 17 March
3rd T20Is, Eden Park, Auckland, Friday, 20 March
4th T20Is, Hnry Stadium, Wellington, Sunday, 22 March
5th T20Is, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, Wednesday, 25 March
