Cricket: Wright man for job? Not yet

The search for the next New Zealand cricket coach has moved into a holding pattern but with the odds still favouring John Wright.

He has spent the past few days mentoring the New Zealand Invitational XI team against Pakistan in the drawn three-dayer in Queenstown, with selector Mark Greatbatch also in attendance. While New Zealand Cricket have been at pains to emphasise that nothing should be read into Wright's presence, Greatbatch says Wright quietly galvanised his charges.

"He loves being in a track suit, does our Wrighty, and he talks quietly to the guys in a way that's relaxing. He has a lot of knowledge and the players have benefited."

It's expected Wright will continue with the team until the start of the first test in Dunedin on Tuesday. Wright won't stay during the test match but the time spent with skipper Daniel Vettori beforehand will be useful to see if the two can hit it off. A coaching decision is expected by the time Bangladesh arrive in February but could, at a push, come before Christmas.

New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan is happy with the status quo for the time being.

"The way the team's going gives me comfort that we don't need to rush. The group's training and preparing well after being finalists in the Champion's Trophy and getting a one-day series victory in Pakistan. There are no alarm bells that we need to get a person in place urgently."

Greatbatch has ruled himself out of vying for the role, despite recently spending a lot of time with the team as a chaperone to the United Arab Emirates.

"I'm enjoying what I'm doing at the moment with selection. I've also got another role with New Zealand Cricket mentoring and coaching a few of the youngsters."

Vaughan will not be trying to change Greatbatch's mind: "He's been doing a fill-in role and has contributed well since the team went away, but I don't think coaching the team would suit him. He has a young family and wants to spend time with them, which is entirely understandable."

Vaughan says he has yet to formally discuss the position with Wright.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who helped the Black Caps out on the recent tour of Sri Lanka, will be joining up again in Dunedin. He's been with the Invitational XI in Queenstown from Tuesday and was assigned the task of looking closely at Auckland leg-spinner Tarun Nethula.

In other coaching matters, Northern Districts' Grant Bradburn and the White Ferns' Gary Stead are in line for Sparc's coach accelerator programme, an initiative designed to hone skills to ensure they are capable of producing champion teams. Otago's Mike Hesson was selected for the inaugural programme earlier this year. The three-year course provides financial support and development training.