Cricket: Hunt named CD coach

Former Auckland cricketer Alan Hunt has been appointed to coach the Central Districts team for the next two years.

He succeeds Englishman Dermot Reeve, who stood aside after last season to join his family in Sydney.

Among others seeking the job were former New Zealand spinner Dipak Patel, who coached Central Districts from 1997 to 2002, and former New Zealand women's team coach Mike Shrimpton.

Hunt, 50, who played for Auckland from 1981 and 1993 and later coached Auckland A and Northern Districts A, is to relocate to Napier next month.

"Alan has an extensive background in coaching and will bring excellent communication, management and organisational skills to the role," Central Districts chief executive Hugh Henderson said today.

"With the Champions League in South Africa starting in early September, the next few months will be important to plan and prepare the team so that we have the best possible opportunity to perform."

- NZPA