New Zealand has appointed former Test captain John Wright as their head coach on Monday, putting a great responsibility on him for lifting the team’s dismal form ahead of next year's World Cup. The announcement was made in a press conference at Sky City
in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Auckland-c766 on Monday.
The decision was part of several other changes which include: the appointment of Wright as coach; the establishment of an independent three-man selection panel; the retention of former batting coach and current selector, Mark Greatbatch as convener of the
independent selection panel.
These changes resulted in Captain Daniel Vettori losing his role as a selector due the fears that his dual roles within the teams became too much burdensome.
Mark Greatbatch has paid the price for the team’s run of 11 successive one-day international defeats. Under Greatbatch, the Black Caps were defeated 5-0 in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 in the subcontinent in October and lost their last two
matches in a tri-series in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 in August.
Although Greatbatch, who took over from Andy Moles after the Englishman was forced to quit in October last year after a senior player insurgency, has lost his role as head coach but will also continue his role as batting coach within the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 Cricket
high performance programme.
Looking at the mega event ahead in February-March next year New Zealand’s form has been has been poor enough to warrant significant changes in current set up. Though positive about the changes, New Zealand Cricket CEO Vaughan said that they would not be
a universal remedy.
“Vettori had wanted Wright to be involved with the team for some time and was supportive of the changes,” Vaughan said.
John Wright said that although he was very excited for taking up this post but at the same time it would surely a great challenge for him.
The coaching support staff would be announced for upcoming Pakistan tour this week and Wright said he had some suggestions regarding selection of the people he wanted to work with.
Wright, 56, a former New Zealand captain, enjoyed success as coach of the Indian cricket team between 2000-05 and was recognised with laying the foundations for India's current success during his time with the sub-continental powerhouse.
While coaching the Indian team earlier, he led the team to a 2-1 home Test series win over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, a Test series win over Pakistan and to the final of the 2003 World Cup. He was replaced in May 2005 by Australian Greg Chappell.
Announcing the changes, New Zealand Cricket CEO, Justin Vaughan said that the whole restructuring was result of a review of Indian tour, in which the win-loss ratio was not acceptable.
"All aspects of the tour - playing performance, preparation, selection and support staff - were examined to ensure that the Black Caps have the greatest chance of succeeding,” said Vaughan.
The recommendations of the review have been approved for implementation by the New Zealand Cricket Board. Wright will take up the responsibilities as a head coach of the Black Caps immediately from his opening match- a Twenty20 international against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755.
Besides, the independent selection panel will comprise of current selectors, Mark Greatbatch, Glen Turner and former international Lance Cairns, who is currently a selector for the New Zealand Under-19 team. On the other hand, the coach and captain of the
Black Caps will continue their participation in selection process and will be active for the team selections on tour but they will not be on the selection panel as was the case under the previous regime.
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