Andrew Alderson: Superhero Henry can save cricket

Graham Henry. Photo / Greg Bowker

Maybe it's time New Zealand Cricket recruited Sir Graham Henry as a consultant.

They could do worse after a West Indies tour which started with four straight losses before the debacle was alleviated by the 88-run one-day international win on Thursday.

Henry's high performance pedigree is obvious. His leadership of the All Blacks to an 85 per cent winning record over eight seasons is CV gold. He also has cricketing pedigree having played six first-class matches as wicketkeeper (five for Canterbury in 1965-66 and one for Otago in 1967-68).

If Henry signed on it would be to strategise and analyse rather than offer technical expertise; there are enough people in the mix already to do that. The core of his All Blacks coaching legacy involved players taking personal responsibility for their actions.

The 66-year-old is only likely to consider a consultancy if he can still free up time to travel the world with wife Raewyn. It must be a pleasant change packing a suitcase without being burdened by the expectation of rugby publics in Wales or New Zealand.

Henry has already been contracted by High Performance Sport New Zealand for two years He has worked with some coaches, like those of Yachting New Zealand, ahead of the London Games. Henry has also spent time in Argentina, helping Los Pumas prepare for The Rugby Championship.

Henry could bring his brand of measured discipline to the national cricket team much like Sir John Graham did when he took over as manager in 1997. Coincidentally New Zealand had also come from a low point after a West Indies tour the previous year.

Chris Cairns and Adam Parore left the tour after falling out with coach Glenn Turner. Graham, the former Auckland Grammar headmaster and All Black captain, and new coach Steve Rixon managed to get better performances out of Cairns and Parore, ominously known by the monikers, BA (Bad Attitude) and Maverick.

The 2012 Caribbean tourists have looked directionless at times. There has been minimal pre-tour planning followed by a leadership vacuum when Ross Taylor got injured and veterans Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori were absent.

Kane Williamson has done his best as skipper but there is no way a 21-year-old, who is still establishing himself in the side, should be taking on such responsibility. Matters have been aggravated by the bludgeoning Chris Gayle and the bamboozling Sunil Narine. Furthermore, incumbent coach John Wright is leaving post-tour and no successor has been appointed.

Henry could offer his no-nonsense, commonsense approach, earn the players' respect and draw out their strengths. It's hard to imagine any of the current team defying the former Kelston Boys' High School headmaster. While we're on wishlists, he might even get the best from Jesse Ryder - no pressure.

In the All Blacks, such an influence was best demonstrated by Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu after their disruptive 2011 season with the Hurricanes. Within months Henry and his entourage had them humming as World Cup-winning All Blacks.

New Zealand Cricket can little afford to ignore such skills.