The Black Caps are searching for a coach. But, as Andrew Alderson reveals, a recent appointment could signal a new structure which may count against John Wright becoming head coach.
Daniel Vettori's multiple national cricket duties have already been lightened by one key appointment during the past year - and it may yet affect the type of coach hired to work with the Black Caps.
Roger Mortimer's work as the Black Caps' individual performance plan manager may influence the thinking behind the hiring of that new coach.
Instead of a coach heading the structure of the team, the new appointment could be more functional; a coach answerable to team management and NZ Cricket, rather than a John Bracewell figure, who tended to run the show.
Vettori has been popularly perceived as handling duties as diverse as bowler, batsman, captain, selector, coach, all-rounder, husband and father but he is already getting some key support, at least on the managerial side.
Mortimer's name mightn't be familiar to all but the names of the athletes he manages are. He oversaw Sarah Ulmer and Hamish Carter to Olympic gold medal success in Athens and now looks after non-rowing matters for world champion sculler Mahe Drysdale.
Since the West Indies series in late 2008, he has contracted to the Black Caps as individual performance plan manager. He works on a one-on-one basis with New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) 20 contracted players, preparing them for the rigours of professional sport.
Mortimer has been working particularly closely day-to-day with Vettori, taking much of the stress out of his role by managing players off the field and outside the Black Caps environment.
One of Mortimer's key objectives is to minimise 'baby-sitting' of team members, where players have everything done for them by their management team; his goal is to turn them into more self-determining, successful people.
With Ulmer, Carter and Drysdale on his books, you'd argue he's had some success. But how has he helped the Black Caps?
"Maybe I'm a dinosaur, and it doesn't fit with modern times, but sport is simple," he says. "The person that wins is absolutely relentless. It's a huge mistake to over-resource campaigns and people. You take their initiative away.
"You can't deliver in a cauldron of professional sport if you don't know how to do things for yourself. Players should dictate what they need and it shouldn't be forced upon them. They've got to ask what they want to have achieved when they retire?"
Ross Taylor's recent development is cited as a prime example: "At 25, he's putting in a real effort to understanding his process, much like Martin Crowe, who is coaching him now. We need to be thinking about developing guys like Steve Waugh, who used to revel in it when they'd come in at 50-4 rather than 350-4. The best players are tough mentally - if you're not, you get mauled."
Speaking of such possibilities, Mortimer is one who's prepared to back Jesse Ryder.
"I'm no expert in a number of the issues Jesse faces but last season, when he was scoring a lot of runs, he trained as professionally as I've seen any player train. When he's in the zone of being fit, playing and practising hard, he's world class. The challenge for Jesse is to get back into that mindset because, once he's outside it, he struggles. I have every confidence he'll get back there."
As someone who took on Mortimer's services in 2005, the year of his first world rowing championship, Mahe Drysdale says NZC is well advised to retain him.
"He knows what ittakes to be a high-performance athlete, he takes a huge pressure off me and his role with New Zealand Cricket is clearly about taking that Olympic athlete mentality and instilling the culture in cricket."
"He's my manager but the relationship has ended up going deeper than that. He ends up being the guy I look to if I have any issues. He's experienced, knows what it takes to win and understands what you're going through. He's in the background but very important."
Mortimer has access to a budget for specialist help and sorts out the logistics for it when he gets word from the skipper. That has become more regular of late as trust has built.
"I bring in the experts and sort out their travel and payments. The need is driven by Dan and the players.
"One example would be how we've struggled with spin, so the decision was made to bring in [Pakistani spinner] Saqlain Mushtaq. I organise his itinerary and make sure he's clear on expectations."
A FULL-TIME coach is still an objective for the short term but it could be postponed further if relationships in Vettori's inner circle, like that with Mortimer, continue to strengthen.
John Wright is yet to have an interview for the job. It's understood he is becoming confused as to the delay, given his pedigree as a coach who was able to keep control of India, one of the world's most volatile cricketing nations, for over five years. It's understood Wright believes he is at least worthy of an interview, and soon.
What might count against him is that he wants more of a hands-on role, with his own coaching structure in place.
That could conflict with the decisions of Mortimer, who is working to the demands of Vettori and the players.
However, Vettori is still happy for a coach to be pursued in the long term: "NZC realise it's an important position and want to ensure it's done right so we don't end up in a similar situation [to Andy Moles' axing].
"I know Justin Vaughan's working tirelessly to make sure that they identify a couple of impressive candidates. Since there's no international cricket at the moment, the hype's died down but I know work's still going on."
Mortimer agrees but wants to see Vettori remain the Black Caps' commander-in-chief.
"There's still a coaching appointment that needs to be made. It's a huge role to play but the best sides in history have been led by outstanding captains. They spend the hours on the field and they make the decisions under pressure so need to be in charge."
It's in Mortimer's interests to support Vettori as his contractual master, but his own man-management skills are proven at the zenith of sport, the Olympic Games. As a result, the two have forged genuine trust.
"Without question, Daniel works as hard as any athlete I've come across. There is a perception out there cricketers are lazy but nothing could be further from the truth. He also has an incredible temperament in his ability to handle pressure when games are at a shaky stage. It helps me get out of bed in the morning knowing I'm going to work for him."
But he also cautions against building too many layers into team management.
