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A significant role at New Zealand Cricket has been found for John Wright - in the short term at least. Wright has been appointed acting manager of the NZC high performance programme, replacing Ric Charlesworth, who left yesterday at the end of a two-year contract.
Wright was delighted by his promotion and indicated he would like to retain a leading role in lifting the top-end level of the game. "Long term, I suppose I would be excited by the opportunity of driving performance right through all levels of New Zealand cricket," he said. "Having been an international coach, I know how important it is to have a lot of competition and depth around your team.
"That's needed to drive performance that's one of the issues we're facing at the moment."
Wright said while getting peak performance out of the national team was the priority, that could only come through improving standards at the lower tiers.
Charlesworth had been on the right path with his work at age-group level and seeking out more playing opportunities overseas.
"In New Zealand, it's difficult because of the (low) numbers situation and we're also faced with a short playing season," Wright said. "We need to identify who we think will be an international cricketer ... and make sure they have the opportunities to get to the level required, skill wise.
"I believe in keeping things very simple. You have to have the fundamental technical skills playing cricket. That comes about, generally, through damn hard work."
NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said: "John has been at NZC a short time but has already made a significant contribution.
"His approach towards creating winning performances is exactly what we need at the elite level."
Former New Zealand opening batsman Wright ended a successful 4 1/2 year coaching stint with India in April 2005 - but has had little involvement at international level since.
Vaughan said the high performance structure at NZC was being reviewed so couldn't say how the position would evolve. He praised the work of Charlesworth, who is taking up a high performance job with Indian hockey.
"Many of the initiatives Ric has put in place are positive for the long-term future of elite cricket performance in New Zealand," Vaughan said.
"His main initiatives include a world-class specialist coaching network, exposing more cricketers to coaching at the highest level, and a winter playing programme that will allow emerging players to train and play outdoors in Australia during the winter."
- NZPA
