Cricket: Brothers will keep their distance on jobs

By Richard Boock

New Zealand Cricket sought assurances that there would be no conflict of interest between the Crowe brothers before making its latest round of appointments.

Before confirming former test captain Jeff Crowe as New Zealand team manager last week, the NZC appointments committee discussed the relationship between his job and that of his brother Martin, who is to play a key role in Sky Television's cricket coverage this summer.

Sky, which this year will succeed long-standing broadcaster TVNZ as the nation's cricket channel, has purchased the rights to screen all international and domestic cricket played in New Zealand.

Concern over a possible conflict of interest between television commentators and the national team is nothing new to NZC, which in the past has dug in its toes over management or selectorial personnel working as sportscasters.

NZC operations manager John Reid, part of the appointments committee which recommended Jeff Crowe for the manager's post, said yesterday that the topic was raised and that NZC was left in no doubt about Crowe's loyalty.

"Jeff made it very clear to us that he was his own man. We discussed the family interests and he satisfied us all that his loyalty would be to NZC policy.

"We're happy that if Martin holds one point of view and NZC holds another, Jeff will be in no doubt where his responsibilities lie."

Reid, who believes Jeff Crowe's leadership ethic will have a healthy influence on the national side, said there was no suggestion that the brothers would stop enjoying each other's company or talking about cricket.

"We have to be realistic. They're good mates and they're naturally going to talk to each other. But Jeff knows some things will be off limits and he's quite comfortable with that.

"They were both good players and they're still good thinkers on the game. As long as they appreciate they don't run it, they can each be of great value to New Zealand cricket."

Jeff Crowe told the interviewing committee that after retiring he had deliberately distanced himself from the national side so that he could one day return in a managerial role, with no strings attached.

Reid said Crowe always harboured a passion to become involved with the national team after playing 39 tests, but considered he could make more of a contribution in management than coaching.

For its part, the appointments committee believed Crowe had several factors in his favour, including.-

* His understanding of the game.

* His proven leadership and business management experience.

* His travelling experience and organisational ability.

* His complementary skills to newly appointed coach David Trist.

However, Reid said there was no suggestion that Crowe's new job description included a coaching component, or any assistant role to Trist.

"David's background is very much one of a professional coach and specialist bowling coach and he would ultimately be responsible for the performance of the team on the field."