Cricket: Wright to quit as India coach

BANGALORE, India - New Zealander John Wright will step down as India's cricket coach after the final test against Pakistan starting on Thursday, a source close to the team said on Wednesday.

The source said Thursday's game would be the former New Zealand captain's last in charge of the test side although he would stay on for the one-day series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in April.

A senior Indian official said the board was trying to persuade Wright to stay on until the 2007 World Cup although it understood that Wright wanted to return to New Zealand.

"He is definitely here till the end of the Pakistan series, " Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Karunakaran Nair told Reuters.

"We have been given to understand he want to join his family in New Zealand and does not want to continue.

"We still want him to be the coach, but if he does not change his mind then we will have to look for someone else."

Wright, 50, had indicated last month that he would like to step down to spend more time with his family.

Under Wright, India won a 2-1 series at home against Australia in 2001 and clinched their maiden test and one-day series wins in Pakistan last year.

Their most creditable performance, however, was drawing a series in Australia 1-1 in 2004 after critics had predicted a 4-0 whitewash.

India captain Saurav Ganguly paid tribute to the former New Zealand opener, who played 82 tests and scored 5335 runs at 37.82 with 12 centuries.

"John has been part of the team since I've been captain," Ganguly said.

"We've thoroughly enjoyed the tenure because of the kind of person he is and the way he is with the boys. My good wishes will be with him in whatever he decides to do in future. "

- REUTERS