Cricket Wellington is pleased to announce the appointment of Trent Keep as its new High Performance Batting Coach, with Keep set to join the organisation in late July following the completion of his current commitments with Somerset County Cricket Club.

Keep arrives in Wellington with extensive experience across domestic, pathway and international cricket, including coaching roles within the Australia A men's and women's programmes. His appointment further strengthens Cricket Wellington's commitment to developing players capable of progressing from domestic cricket to the international stage.

Cricket Wellington High Performance Manager Dave Wildash said Keep's experience working with emerging elite talent made him an outstanding addition to the programme.

"Trent has worked with the Australia ‘A’ programmes across both the men's and women's game, giving him significant experience in the critical space between domestic and international cricket. That understanding of the gap and what it takes for players to make the step to the next level is fundamental to our strategic priority of developing more BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS."

While his primary focus will be with the Wellington Firebirds, Keep will also provide specialist batting support across the wider men's and women's performance pathway, helping create greater alignment and consistency throughout the system.

"His experience working with emerging international talent, combined with his ability to build strong relationships and challenge players to improve, will be a significant asset across our entire performance pathway," Wildash said.

Cricket Wellington Chief Executive Todd Bryant said Trent's appointment is an exciting addition to the organisation's high-performance programme.

"Trent brings outstanding experience from across domestic, pathway and Australia A cricket, along with a proven ability to help players bridge the gap to the international game.

"One of our key priorities is developing and retaining Wellington-developed players within our high-performance system. Trent's experience and expertise will be invaluable in helping our players realise their potential and achieve success at the highest levels of the game."

Keep said he was excited by the opportunity to join Cricket Wellington and contribute across the organisation's high-performance programmes.

"I'm really grateful for the opportunity to join Wellington. Throughout the whole process it has been clear that the organisation prides itself on putting people first," Keep said.

"To reconnect with Shane provides an element of comfort, and I'm looking forward to meeting the players, staff and fans, and working my socks off to contribute to the success of the Firebirds and the Blaze while continuing to support the development of current and future BLACKCAPS."

Keep recently worked alongside Firebirds Head Coach Shane Jurgensen during the Northern Territory Top End Series, with the pair previously working together in high-performance environments.

Keep will join the organisation in late July as the Firebirds and Blaze prepare for the 2026-27 domestic season.

Article added: Thursday 11 June 2026