Cricket: Black Caps coaching job down to four

By Terry Maddaford

Four candidates, including former test players John Wright and Dipak Patel, have been shortlisted for the New Zealand cricket coaching job, but there could be a bolter before the successful candidate is named on July 12.

Wright, Patel, former Canterbury and now Auckland coach David Trist and former Central Districts and Canterbury coach Denis Aberhart are apparently those in line to take over when Australian Steve Rixon steps aside after the tour of England.

New Zealand Cricket's operations manager, John Reid, confirmed that four candidates had been interviewed but would not identify them.

"Yes, we do have a shortlist," said Reid, "but that might not be the final group."

While Wright, now coach of English county side Kent, is seen as perhaps the frontrunner, he has had only a couple of seasons in the job and might be overlooked this time.

Trist, one of the first full-time coaches in New Zealand cricket, has had success both here and overseas, where he has had stints in a number of countries, including Holland and South Africa.

It seems the Auckland Cricket Association, second-guessing Trist's appointment, is on the lookout for a coach to replace him after completing just one year of his three-year appointment.

Patel, who has coached CD for the past two seasons, will probably have to wait his turn and possibly join former New Zealand test player John Bracewell as a candidate when the job next becomes available.

Aberhart, like Trist, is well-respected and has fashioned a creditable record in domestic cricket, including involvement with the Shell Conference series.

The New Zealand manager's job about to be vacated by John Graham has attracted even more interest, with a final list of five being considered, including former New Zealand captain Jeff Crowe and, apparently, incumbent Auckland team manager Brian Valentine.

Reid said a starting date for the new appointees had yet to be confirmed.