By sportphobia -
November 14th 2009 @ 2:09am
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The time is Wright for New Zealand cricket
Twelve months ago, New Zealand was in the same situation as they find themselves in at the moment – looking for a coach. Last time the job was won by Northern Districts and former Warickshire batsman Andy Moles, virtually unopposed.
Predictably, in his year at the helm, the Black Caps continued to deliver mediocre results. Although the outcomes didn’t change dramatically in the Moles era, the team’s reputation did.
In the wake of Moles’ resignation, New Zealand cricket now has a much wider and more highly credentialed range of coaches to choose from; Former Black Cap coach Steve Rixon has publicly expressed his desires for the job, and the experienced pair of John Wright and Duncan Fletcher is also believed to be interested.
So one would ask what has changed through another underachieving period for the Kiwis?
Over the past twelve months, many coaches have begun to acknowledge some of the talent around the New Zealand setup that Black Cap sides of the past have lacked.
Over the year, Martin Guptil and Jesse Ryder have consistently showcased their abilities on the international stage and Ross Taylor continues to develop himself into a world class batsman. In Daniel Vettori, the side possesses one of the best tweakers in the world and a maturing captain, Brendon McCullum is re-finding his destructive self and even young Tim Southee is recovering from a drop in form.
Perhaps the biggest factor of all though is Shane Bond who is a world class fast bowler amongst a typically workmanlike attack.
One of the most ironic factors about this entire debacle is that now the coaches are on offer, they are most likely not wanted by the Black Caps. Influential captain Daniel Vettori has publicly stated that he would prefer a coach who is prepared to take a back seat in the team hierarchy rather than dominate proceedings like many mentors (John Bracewell) prefer.
Its difficult to imagine a guy like Steve Rixon or Duncan Fletcher taking that sort of approach to the role. However, this theory has been successful amongst some of crickets superpowers.
Australia (John Buchanan), India (Gary Kirsten) and South Africa (Mikey Arthur) all have head coaches who are happy for their captains to lead from the front.
Ricky Ponting and MS Dhoni have both excelled with the responsibility and Vettori seems keen to do the same.
The early signs are good for the New Zealand skipper who recently enjoyed a rare “away” series ODI triumph over Pakistan and a strong showing in the Champions Trophy in which he is understood to have taken a prominent role in the team management.
In my opinion, John Wright seems the man for the job.
With international experience and distinct tactical nous, he is what is required for this side going forward. Concerns have been expressed over Wrights management skills, but with Daniel Vettori dominating proceedings and manager Dave Currie at hand, their should be no such problems.
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vinay verma said | November 14th 2009 @ 7:42am | Report comment
Sportphobia…A coach should be seen and not heard. At the elite level I believe a coach is superflous. You are right that Gary Kirsten takes a back seat and Dhoni is in charge. Vettori is a fine young man and represents the game with distinction. You look at the top four sides,SAF,SRI Lanka Australia and India and they all have Captains in charge. The coach should be the Captain’s off field assistant..running practice and with the Manager ensuring the logistics are in place.
Dave1 said | November 14th 2009 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
That’s great if your a large nation with heaps of players to choose from.
New Zealand don’t have this and unless they do something different or out of the ordinary, to give them an advantage, they will never win test matches regularly
While they have the money, now is the time to get there coaching exactly right.
Freud of Football said | November 14th 2009 @ 7:12pm | Report comment
Vinay, club managers do a lot more than their international counterparts. International managers are there, according to a lot of them simply for motivation and to provide belief, by that level they should be skilled and tactically aware enough to not require a “coach”. It’s interesting that you see the same idea with cricket, I would have thought, due to the very technical nature of the sport a coach, even at the highest level should be very hands on.
vinay verma said | November 14th 2009 @ 7:57pm | Report comment
Hi Freud…The way cricket works at the moment,especially in Australia,is that rarely does talent escape the net..as aresult cricketers,from 13 years and up are exposed to Rep teams and coaches from a very early age. Then you have the finishing school of the Centre of Excellence..where Greg Chappell,one on one,can impart technique a lot better than anyone else. They also have Troy Cooley,who knows a thing or two about swing. So once you get to the International level the need for a fulltime coach,I believe is unnecessary. It may be advisable for Countries like Bangladesh ,New Zealand and West Indies. Though in the case of the West Indies I believe they are wrongly coached. They should be coached to play the exuberant game because that is what suits them best. I would rather they produced a Viv Richards than a Len Hutton.
It is technical but it is also a simple game..balance and concentration. It is also rare that a coach can fix a form slump at the Elite level..these form slumps are more mental and usually centre on partner or teammates conflict. Thats where a strong Captain comes in.
I think the best coach Australia had was their first coach..Bob Simpson..He arrested the decline in slip catching that had set in after Ian and Greg Chappell left..He soon had champions in Border,Mark Waugh and Mark Taylor. And I am not sure if Bob was an accredited coach..but then he did not need a degree. He does not get the credit he deserves.
sportphobia said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:47am | Report comment
yea some good points vinay verma however I really beleive this side needs someone who can prepare them mentally to win cricket games. A guy like Ross Taylor has all the talent in the world but often seems at a loss to what his objective is – hopefully this is where someone like John Wright can help. If Wright doesnt get the head role, he must get a job as a travelling assistant or technical advisor to help out our technical batting issues.
ohtani's jacket said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:32am | Report comment
It doesn’t matter who the coach is. NZ will always be reasonably competitive at one day cricket and poor at Test match cricket. If they concentrate on Test matches, their one day form will drop off. This has been the case ever since the early 90s. We don’t have the player depth to be good at both forms of cricket and one dayers were firmly embraced by the public from the ‘92 World Cup onwards. NZ cricket does remarkably well considering its resources. Oftentimes what the players need is better technique. I’m optimistic about this because of the many Australians gracing our presence with their nuturing, benevolent spirits. Truly God’s country. Thank you, and God bless Australians everywhere.
vinay verma said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:18pm | Report comment
You are right about Ross Taylor and his talent..he is also an exceptional fielder. I am not sure if he is a bit lazy,like Sarwan from the Windies. Whenhe is on song he is a delight to watch. And Shane Bond I rate as the best quick going around. He is easing himself back and if he remains healthy he could win matches for New Zealand. They have to persevere with Southee..give him an extended run..make him feel secure about his place. NZ also have to stop picking bits and pieces players like Elliot for the longer form..he is OK in the shorter forms. And Jeetan Patel..I rate him the best offspinner going around..better than Harbhajan. Murali seems to have gone off the boil and is not the match winner he once was.
I dont know about the other youngsters but perhaps you can tell us if there are any talents around.
Republican said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Just to remind all those pious Kiwis who cringe whinge about ‘Dingo’ and his Wallaby defection – here you have the benefit of another benevolent Ozzie helping you become competitive in a sport other than Union. There are many more of us over there in varying capacities doing their bit in this respect as well
Dave1 said | November 14th 2009 @ 4:05pm | Report comment
It doesn’t matter where a coach comes from. It matters that he does the job properly.
vinay verma said | November 14th 2009 @ 11:49am | Report comment
No Need to sell NZ sport short. NZ have consistently fought above their weight. Hockey,in the period 1922-25 did not lose to OZ and in ‘76 won Gold in Montreal..much before Oz did. Athletics..Snell,Walker,Davidson..all greats..Cricketers like John Reid,Bert Sutlcliffe ,Martin Crowe and Richard hadlee were top drawer. And the Sauvignion Blancs and Pinots out of NZ are from God’s own country.
Rugby speaks for itself and Caddying..Steve Williams must be the most famous caddy of all time..and the richest sportsman..I am sorry but I couldn’t help myself.
Dave1 said | November 14th 2009 @ 4:10pm | Report comment
This is the previous comments on whether New Zealand fights above its weight or not. It definitely doesn’t in rugby.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/27/champions-trophy-is-dead/
Republican said | November 14th 2009 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
National Swimming coaches for NZ Ozzie, Cricket coach Ozzie, Womens Hockey coach Ozzie, Rugby League coach Ozzie or was at least me thinks as were half the squad.
Priveleged access to all our National Leagues and institutes assuming state like status without the committment or loyalty required to be part of our Federation of States.
Hawthorn now helping out Aust Footy in NZ schools to the tune of $50k per year at our own demographic expense as with the Kiwi Netball teams, playing in the Oz League – again at local demo’s expense.
Huge contingency of Kiwis living here for eg. the Gold Coast, where they are expertly coached in Triathalon, Surf Lifesaving and Surfing. I could go on however to keep things succinct, if not for Oz, NZ would be incredibly mediocre, as arrogant as that sounds.
The relationship is far from reciprocal I might add and despite the constant Kiwi chest thumping and sanctimony expressed towards this country, we continue to lend a benevolently paternal hand offering concessions not afforded other neighbours ie PNG.
Most Kiwis I know believe they are superior in every way to Ozzies and invest much collectively in deriding and piously berating this country at every opportunity. The ‘underarm incident’ is the tip of the vitriolic Kiwi ice berg and another excuse for them to indulge in this sort of cringe.
Why we simple Ozzie folk continue to endure in this respect, defies explanation. I know this sounds harsh but it is in the main, very true.
Cheers
ohtani's jacket said | November 14th 2009 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
Most New Zealanders I know don’t spend as much time thinking about our country as you do yours.
katzilla said | November 14th 2009 @ 4:23pm | Report comment
‘as with the Kiwi Netball teams, playing in the Oz League – again at local demo’s expense.’
Hold on there skippy, that competition was created equally between both countries.
‘The ‘underarm incident’ is the tip of the vitriolic Kiwi ice berg ‘
Where there’s smoke there’s fire. Whinge guns don’t fire without horrendous unsportsmanlike ammo.
That Hawthorn thing is a joke, don’t pretend like Hawthorn are doing NZ sports a favour, more like getting their mitts into an untouched source of future talent. You tell me whose going to get the most from that deal?
I do enjoy reading your posts repub, your agenda isn’t exactly slight of hand but a couple of your points there were in the Hyperbole range.
Dave1 said | November 14th 2009 @ 4:50pm | Report comment
I think the two parties that would do well out of this would be NZ AFL and then hawthorn would be hoping for a return.
Actually, who cares what Hawthorns motives are, what they are doing is good for AFL.
davido said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:01pm | Report comment
Wow, harsh but true.
Dave1 said | November 17th 2009 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
South Africa’s coach Eric Simons, today
http://www.cricinfo.com/rsaveng09/content/story/434872.html
“………”Some teams like New Zealand have to use utility players because they don’t have the skill level. “We don’t have to do that. We must pick our best.”
Dave1 said | November 14th 2009 @ 4:18pm | Report comment
are you a New Zealander?
Ken1 said | January 15th 2010 @ 4:03pm | Report comment
The next coach for the Black Caps should be Trevor Bayliss. Watch and see…
A top coach with plenty of talent .