Cricket: Aussie duo say no to Black Caps

Former Sri Lanka and current West Australia coach Tom Moody. Photo / Getty Images

BRISBANE - Steve Rixon appears to have no competition from fellow Australian coaches as he eyes a second term in charge of New Zealand's cricketers.

Rixon, who coached the Black Caps from 1997 to 1999, has re-emerged as a leading contender for the post after Andy Moles resigned last week following a player backlash.

Former NZ opener John Wright, who coached India with great success, looms as the favourite for the job if he wants it after two Australians and ex-Black Cap skipper Stephen Fleming ruled themselves out on Wednesday.

West Australian coach Tom Moody and long-time Victorian mentor Greg Shipperd told AAP they would look to continue their state jobs.

Former Sri Lanka coach Moody said he was happy with his WA and Kings XI Punjab IPL commitments and had no great desire to return to the test arena.

Shipperd, who showed interest in coaching NZ before the job was awarded to Moles, virtually ruled himself out due to personal reasons, despite also recently re-signing with Victoria.

NSW coach Matthew Mott is also understood to be unavailable after re-signing with the Blues, who he took to the Champions League Twenty20 title.

New Zealand Cricket is in no rush to appoint a replacement for Moles with captain Daniel Vettori to hold the reins until next February.

Moody backed spinner Vettori to handle both roles without the extra responsibilities affecting his game.

"He's an impressive individual, not only as a player but also a leader," Moody said.

"He's been under the guidance of Stephen Fleming for many years and he's developed into a very good international package both on and off the field.

"He'll need a good management around him but I'm sure he'll be able to cope in the short term."

Fleming was seen as a strong contender for the job but he felt he was too close to the current group of players to take over as coach.

"I do not have the time (for coaching) and I do not have the desire," he said.

"The group of players there now are too close to my era, and also my coaching ability is unproven."

Rixon told NZ media outlets at the weekend he felt the time was right for a return, and disagreed with plans for Vettori to take on the extra burden of coaching.

"It appears he has taken on a very major role and maybe he should be left to just get on with what he does best, which is bat and bowl," said Rixon.

"The timing is quite good (for me), I think that the job that needs to be done is very similar to the job that had to be done in 1997 and the challenge is appealing."

- AAP