Cricket: Come in from the cold

Former New Zealand opener John Wright could have a role within the Black Caps when, and if, he returns to cricket.

The former Indian coach has been lying low and "chilling out" since his return to New Zealand, requesting that New Zealand Cricket not hand out his number to media.

The Herald on Sunday understands Wright could be offered a role in the Black Caps' coaching structure.

"He and I have been talking regularly," NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said, "but he is in a position at the moment where he doesn't want to commit to anything.

"He knows full well I'd love to involve him but he's still chilling out after the Indian experience."

There had been talk Wright could replace outgoing Michael Sharpe as Canterbury coach.

However Canterbury Cricket chief executive Richard Reid said Wright would not be coaching his home province next season.

They have spent the last few weeks interviewing candidates and Reid took a recommendation to the board late last week.

"There were applicants from New Zealand and overseas and John [Wright] was not one of them," Reid said.

A decision on the Canterbury job is expected soon.

It is thought that discussions have taken place which would see Wright work with John Bracewell and even take the Black Caps on tours while Bracewell recharged his batteries at the high performance centre, but Snedden downplayed this.

"That's jumping too far ahead. The first thing is to actually get him in the door. Everyone in New Zealand Cricket, including Braces, would be very keen to have him involved.

"There's absolutely no territorialism at all. We recognise the quality of the guy and the whole high performance programme [based at Lincoln] would love to have him involved, either with them or the Black Caps. It would be great."

From his first day in the job, Bracewell has been a proponent of bringing in ideas from outside the core management team.

Captain Stephen Fleming is also on record as being a fan of filtering ideas from as wide a base of knowledge as possible.

While Wright's high-pressure, big-money appointment as India coach was met with some disapproval and cynicism on the subcontinent, he left the role with his reputation enhanced.

"John Wright will be remembered as the coach who taught India more than just winning. His main contribution was that he instilled self-belief into a team known for cracking at the slightest hint of pressure," wrote Indian cricket writer Manoj Vatsyayana.

"We have got to be entirely flexible and allow him the time to wind down from the last four or five years," Snedden said.

"When he is ready, we will be ready to involve him. The door is wide open."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY