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Black Caps wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum is said to have had a hand in getting New South Wales coach Matthew Mott short-listed to replace John Bracewell as New Zealand cricket coach.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported today Mott met McCullum when the pair worked together for the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise in this year's Indian Premier League.
It was understood McCullum was so impressed by the Australian's coaching talent he recommended Mott to New Zealand Cricket.
Mott guided NSW to the Pura Cup domestic championship last summer - his first year in charge.
But he appears destined for higher honours, and with Bracewell vacating the post next April, NZC apparently wasted little time in sounding him out.
NZ Cricket chief Justin Vaughan declined to comment directly on Mott's chances but told the newspaper from Dubai yesterday: "Brendon played at Kolkata when Matthew was the assistant coach there. It was for three or four games, so it was a very short experience.
"It's also true that we do work very closely with our senior players - Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram and Brendon - and they are fully engaged through this."
Vaughan described speculation on the candidates as being "incorrect" following reports this week that those in the mix included former South African coach Graham Ford, Northern Districts coach Andy Moles and New Zealand under-19 coach Dipak Patel. John Wright was a possible also.
- NZPA
