Cricket: Coaching question likely to drag on

A case of minor tweaking rather than a major advance seems the likely outcome in the long-running New Zealand coaching issue after yesterday's board meeting.

While radio speculation yesterday had former Australian batsman Darren Lehmann emerging as the latest name to join the alphabet soup of candidates for the vacant position of team overseer, it is understood to be no more than that.

A variety of names have been thrown about for the top job, including Australians Matthew Mott and Lehmann, Graham Ford and Mickey Arthur, both now former South African coaches, John Wright, Mark Greatbatch and International Cricket Council match referee, and former New Zealand captain Jeff Crowe.

There are two jobs to be filled, specialist batting coach and overall boss of the team's on-field workings.

When Andy Moles departed as New Zealand coach in October, NZC were at great pains to say the process of finding a replacement would not be rushed.

If NZC were to announce the head man in the next couple of days it would suggest rapid recent developments out of a situation from which information has been carefully guarded for months.

NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan told Radio Sport yesterday he was confident of a coaching appointment before the Bangladesh tour starts on Wednesday.

That is more likely to mean a batting appointment is coming up. Former test pair Greatbatch and Wright are clear favourites. Both have done it at various times in the past few months, Wright for a longer period.

He has been lined up to work with Jesse Ryder in Christchurch in the next few weeks as the lefthander works back to full fitness with the world Twenty20 championship in the Caribbean in May a target. That suggests Greatbatch is more likely to have greater involvement during the Bangladesh tour.

The tourists arrive in Auckland in two groups today and tomorrow before heading to Hamilton for the opening game of the five-match tour, a Twenty20 international on Wednesday.

It is understood two names were given to the board yesterday to consider for some role in the team's backroom setup. Neither name was thought to be Lehmann.

The burly 39-year-old Australian, who coached Deccan Chargers to last year's Indian Premier League title, is well regarded as a coach, and a popular figure. However, he is thought to have been more interested in the overall supremo role, and bringing his own support staff in.

Since Moles' departure, captain Dan Vettori has acted as head coach. Bangladesh are unlikely to overly stress Vettori; Australia, who arrive for nine internationals late next month, could be a different story.