Cricket: Mascarenhas named Otago coach

Dimitri Mascarenhas. Photo / Getty Images

Former England international Dimitri Mascarenhas has been named as the new head coach of Otago cricket team.

Mascarenhas, 36, enjoyed a successful career which spanned 18 years at the top level.

A medium pace bowler and hard hitting middle order bat, Mascarenhas chalked up over 10,000 runs and 900 wickets across all forms of the game.

34 appearances in limited overs cricket for England, a loyal servant and long term captain of Hampshire and overseas stints for the Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash, Rangpur Riders in Bangladesh and Otago and Wellington.

Mascarenhas was the Volts overseas player for two seasons including their successful 2009 Twenty20 campaign and subsequent trip to the Champions League in India later that year. He was highly regarded during his time with the Volts, fitting into the Otago culture nicely and being a significant contributor on and off the field.

In recent seasons Mascarenhas has begun the transition to coaching, completing a ECB level three coaching qualification and holding player coach roles at Hampshire, Rajasthan and Hobart.

"We are delighted to have secured someone of Dimi's experience in the game at the top level and it is particularly comforting to know he is very familiar with our players, environment and facilities," said Otago Cricket CEO Ross Dykes.

"Dimi's tactical awareness and his ability to build relationships set him apart from a very strong field of candidates. His proven ability to work with bowlers and his positive approach to the game make him an ideal coach to partner with Nathan King and take the Volts to the next level. Dimi and Nathan have very compatible skills and this was another compelling factor in the decision."

"It is a huge plus that most of our current squad know and respect Dimi - just as he knows them and their strengths and weaknesses".

Mascarenhas added "I am really excited about the opportunity to be a Head Coach and am delighted that it is with Otago. I really enjoyed my time playing there and believe that the culture within that environment is well suited to my way of doing things. Otago have fashioned a fantastic record over recent seasons and I look forward to working with the players, Nathan and the rest of the staff to ensure trophies continue to be won by the Volts."