Cricket: Bracewell leaves NZ door open

Former test offspinner John Bracewell could still be an option as the next New Zealand cricket coach, despite extending his contract with English county Gloucestershire.

Bracewell signed a three-year deal with Gloucester yesterday which initially appeared to rule him out of succeeding David Trist as New Zealand coach.

Trist's two-year contract ends in the middle of next year and it is unlikely he will seek an extension.

Bracewell said from his Bristol home that his new deal, which also includes the role of director of cricket at Gloucestershire, had an escape clause for either party with 12 months' notice.

However, Bracewell stressed that he was looking long term when re-signing with Gloucester.

"I don't hold out much hope of getting the New Zealand job, so you have to make your way where the opportunity exists," Bracewell said.

"There are people at home in New Zealand doing the job - Dipak Patel, Chris Kuggeleijn and Denis Aberhart - so I'm not too carried away at my prospects."

Bracewell has guided Gloucestershire to four limited-overs titles over the last two seasons and he is now determined to translate that form into the first-class championship.

Despite his comments, Bracewell is destined to be the leading candidate to replace Trist, especially with mounting speculation that former test captain John Wright will soon be appointed Indian national coach.

Indian sources suggest Wright has his nose in front of former Australian coach Geoff Marsh and is poised to land a lucrative contract.

Former Australian batsman Dean Jones, former West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts and former Indian allrounder Roger Binny are also in the race.

It would be an unlikely posting for Wright, who did not enjoy touring the subcontinent.

India have been left in the lurch following the resignation of Kapil Dev after allegations of match-fixing against him.

The president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, A.C. Muthiah, has the final word on selecting the new coach and it is understood he is keen for an outsider with an impeccable background to restore respectability to the country's No 1 sport.

Wright has just ended his fourth season guiding English county Kent.

He applied unsuccessfully for the New Zealand job last year.

- NZPA