Cricket: Coaching trio to vie for Auckland job

The three Auckland cricket coaches who contributed to the team winning the national first-class title in the just-completed season are expected to put their hands up for the vacant job next summer.

On Monday Auckland Cricket began advertising the position occupied initially by Mark O'Donnell and later by former Zimbabwe spinner Paul Strang, in tandem with former New Zealand opener Matt Horne.

O'Donnell stepped aside when he joined the New Zealand team's backroom staff halfway through the State Championship. His two-year contract expires on June 30.

Strang and Horne then guided Auckland to three wins and a draw in four matches before beating Central Districts by five wickets in the final at Lincoln last month.

O'Donnell is taking annual leave while he is with the New Zealand team in England preparing for the world Twenty20 championship and is being paid by New Zealand Cricket.

However Auckland Cricket chief executive Andrew Eade understands all three men will reapply for the provincial position.

Applications close on June 12 and interviews will be done through June, with an appointment to be made by the end of next month.