Cricket: Bracewell ready to take up reins

By TERRY MADDAFORD

John Bracewell is not exactly sitting by the phone, but he would welcome the opportunity to talk turkey with New Zealand Cricket chief executive Chris Doig.

But Doig had better be quick.

Bracewell is back in New Zealand for a couple of weeks, mainly to attend a retirement function for his former Tauranga Boys' College first XV rugby and first Xl cricket coach Max Hiemann tomorrow.

He returns to his Bristol home in England on Monday.

Taking time out to watch the Northern Districts-Central Districts Shell Trophy match in Taupo yesterday, Bracewell said that while he continued to enjoy his time with English county club Gloucestershire, his first choice would be to coach an international side.

"When I left three years ago, my vision was to coach New Zealand," said 42-year-old Bracewell.

He was a trifle bemused by suggestions New Zealand Cricket might not be able to afford to bring him back.

"The average wage of county players in England is between £9000 [$28,966] and £35,000 [$112,648]. Coaches can expect a bit more than that, but we are not talking the telephone numbers that arise in soccer and rugby. Money [for coaching the New Zealand team] is not an issue at all.

"Desiring what's right for me, my family and my employer, are.

"Because of the amount of cricket played in England, I'm getting five years' experience in one season," said Bracewell, who has completed two 18-month terms with the county and recently turned down a five-year deal in favour of a rolling year-by-year contract.

"I have just taken over as director of cricket, which will mean a full 12-month commitment."

He has also coached rugby at Bristol University and at a local school.

Unlike teams here, Bracewell does not have a team manager.

"I do everything, but I was lucky to inherit such a good side. When I arrived, they had won nothing. Now we have. Only the county championship has eluded us."

Winning that would be the icing on the cricketing cake for Bracewell, who turned his back on 10 years as the Auckland Cricket Association's coaching director to take his family to the other side of the world.

Bracewell has never shirked a challenge.

Having the chance to take the reins of the national side would be the ultimate.