Birmingham Phoenix part ways with Shane Bond after bottom finish

It has learned that Birmingham Phoenix coach Shane Bond has been fired halfway through a two-year contract.

Bond, who has been coaching in the IPL for more than a decade, was given the men's head coaching job in November of last year under a contract that would last until the end of the 2027 season. But Phoenix's management decided that a change was necessary after they finished last in the men's Hundred and won their first game before going on a seven-match losing streak.

On Wednesday, Bond informed of his departure. While he acknowledged that the team's results had not been satisfactory, he acknowledged that he was "obviously really disappointed" not to be able to fulfill his contract.

Jacob Bethell, their captain and highest-paid player, and overseas fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman were both injured shortly before the start of the tournament, so those results were somewhat mitigated. Several lucrative signings, such as Rehan Ahmed, Donovan Ferreira, Mitchell Owen and Saqib Mahmood, also underperformed.

It has learned that as the losing streak continued, the dressing room became more tense. It is understood that Bond lost the support of some players and staff, and he is said to have made clear that he was unhappy with the team environment.

Phoenix's management, led by Warwickshire director of cricket James Thomas, made the decision to make a change ahead of the 2027 season after a recent review at the end of the season.

We reviewed all aspects of this season's campaign, and after evaluating the review with our board and cricket committee, we made the difficult decision to relieve Shane of his duties," Thomas stated in a statement on Wednesday morning. We thank Shane for his efforts with the Phoenix and wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

Phoenix will try to find a replacement quickly because the Hundred's player retention window opens next Friday. Potential candidates could include former Warwickshire players Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell, not least after the franchise were criticised for a lack of local flavour in their men's squad this season.

Phoenix have never won either the men's or women's Hundred, and finished bottom of the combined 'Helix' standings in 2026. They are currently managed jointly by Knighthead Capital, a US investment fund, and Warwickshire, with Jude Bellingham, a footballer for England and Real Madrid, as a minority investor.

Warwickshire had a disappointing season in white-ball cricket more broadly, failing to reach the knockout stages of any men's or women's competition. However, the club has spent the past ten days celebrating the men's team's ninth County Championship victory, which they secured by winning five of their final six games.