Cricket: NZC eyes coaches from overseas

Allan Donald. Photo / Getty Images

Expect the replacement for Allan Donald as national bowling coach to come from overseas.

The search for the person to be John Wright's bowling assistant is under way and New Zealand Cricket director of cricket John Buchanan said he expected an appointment "sooner rather than later".

Buchanan had identified "four or five really good candidates" and confirmed NZC is more focused on overseas contenders than those based in New Zealand.

"I don't think we're too far away," he said, adding that he had been disappointed with Donald's decision last week to take up a role with new South African coach Gary Kirsten, having given a verbal agreement to continue with NZC.

"I can understand why he did it. I just think it's disappointing the way it was handled by him, but we've moved past that already."

In time, Buchanan hoped New Zealanders would fill all the key roles within NZC's coaching setup.

"It's not about where you come from, it's about getting the right person," he said.

"Ideally, over time, all the right people will come out of New Zealand, but maybe we've got to get an infusion of overseas people at various stages."

Buchanan said while he would like to see retired fast bowler Shane Bond involved in the bowling group, he hinted it was too soon for him to be a strong candidate for the top job.

Buchanan said the appointment of the next New Zealand captain, either Ross Taylor or Brendon McCullum, would most likely be made by a panel consisting of head coach John Wright, acting national selection manager Mark Greatbatch and himself and that it was not far off being made.

Both men are to make presentations on their suitability for the job once player reviews have been completed in the next fortnight.

Among the topics to be raised with players will be "the whole area of leadership, of which captaincy is one part".