Mark Richardson: Make the players pay up

Justin Vaughan. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Why is it taking so long? It has been three months since Andy Moles was sacked as Black Caps coach.

The process that saw candidates withdraw leaving him the winner last time has obviously been avoided this time.

One would hope that, in the last three months, Justin Vaughan and New Zealand Cricket have been proactive in identifying a replacement.

Three months. Surely that is enough time to find someone. What's the hold-up? Is it money or is it selling the new guy to the players? After all, it was the players who got rid of the last guy NZC employed.

This time, the stakes are higher for everyone concerned and I'd suggest that risk is dragging out the process.

NZC needs positive results on the field. A poor selection will leave them red-faced and the players have used up their blame-the-coach card.

The players know a new coach must produce results because, if they sign off on a coach and nothing changes, the blame will fall squarely at their feet.

Their vested interest is huge and it is understandable if the players, most likely represented by their Players' Association, want the final say on who they get.

If the hold-up is still over what type of coach is required, this is highly unsatisfactory. That decision should have been made some time ago and we should be in the process of filling that job description.

I believe a traditional style of coach is what is required. Some sort of 'team director' sounds exciting but, in reality, would it work?

I doubt a person acting to steer players towards individual development would end up being effective.

There are just too many egos involved with high-level sportspeople and not all players have clarity of mind when things are not working properly.

However, would our players accept advice and criticism from a man they perceive lacks expertise in the skills of cricket?

A proven coach with a high degree of mana in the cricket world would not come cheaply and I can only see two ways around this problem. Our players can either take a punt or fork out extra themselves for the man they want.

It's unlikely, I know. But they are independent contractors, are they not? They seem to be able to make decisions over where they play, who they play for and what they play and now they want the say on who coaches them.

Four of those choices involve money coming in, one involves money going out.

When you employ a painter to paint your house, should you also be responsible for teaching him how to paint?