KEY POINTS:
New Zealand Cricket will interview five coaches this week in the search for John Bracewell's successor, with the most intriguing prospect being the fifth, until now unnamed, candidate.
The Herald on Sunday has learnt that current South African coach Mickey Arthur will be interviewed, probably via video hook-up.
Given his success, including a recent historic test series win in England, the fact he would even consider leaving his South Africa post for New Zealand demonstrates how tenuous the position of head coach at the country ranked second in both test and one-day cricket can be.
It also demonstrates that despite New Zealand's poor test record during the Bracewell era, this New Zealand side is seen as having enough talent to be an attractive coaching proposition.
It is believed NZC will also interview Australian Matthew Mott; Englishman Andy Moles, currently the Northern Districts coach; Dipak Patel; and Arthur's compatriot Graham Ford, who is coaching Kent.
Victoria coach Greg Shipperd, endorsed by captain Daniel Vettori, withdrew his interest and John Wright is understood to have declined the opportunity to apply.
NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan, in Dubai last week at an ICC meeting, refused to confirm Arthur's interest, or indeed any of the candidates, saying the media speculation had been "inaccurate, incorrect and unhelpful".
"I would like to re-affirm NZC's position that it is not appropriate to reveal or discuss individuals who may or may not have applied for the coaching position," he said via email.
Most of the buzz has surrounded the application of Mott, a 34-year-old who guided New South Wales to a domestic championship in his first season in charge. He is seen as the most talented of the coaches coming through Australia and impressed New Zealand vice-captain Brendon McCullum during their short time together with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.
"I was flattered to get asked and the thought of an international job is very exciting," Mott told Cricinfo.
Bracewell's contract ends in April before he takes up a position as director of cricket at Gloucestershire, a county he led to considerable one-day success as coach.
His appointment signalled a change in philosophy following Denis Aberhart's reign, both on and off the field. Bracewell's strength was in the limited overs game and it was in this forum that New Zealand performed best during his tenure. However, New Zealand's test record has been appalling, with 12 wins in 37 tests, eight of them coming against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and West Indies. Since 2003-04, New Zealand has not won an away test against a higher-ranked opponent.
Off the field, Bracewell's appointment essentially signalled the end of the Stephen Fleming show. The Cantabrian had effectively run the team, with plenty of success it must be said, as his fiefdom in the years leading up to Bracewell's hiring.
With Vettori's emergence as a leader, it seems likely NZC will want to revert back to a coach able to act in tandem with the captain rather than in a hierarchy that starts with coach at top.
Mott would appear to have the inside running on this count, though it is the interest of a coach already on the international treadmill - and one used to working with a strong leader in Graeme Smith - that is most noteworthy.
Arthur's current contract with Cricket South Africa ends in April next year but the 40-year-old was reported as saying recently in Southampton's Daily Echo that he wanted to continue in his role after turning down an approach to coach Hampshire in English county cricket.
"South Africa have offered me a new contract through to the 2011 World Cup and my current commitment is to them," he told the newspaper. "I haven't won the World Cup or beaten Australia. They are things I would love to do."
Could it be that he gets the opportunity to do that with New Zealand rather than his homeland?