Former New Zealand opener John Wright, who coached India with great success, has emerged as the favourite to become coach of the Black Caps after two Australians and ex-Black Cap skipper Stephen Fleming ruled themselves out on Wednesday.
Former Australian wicketkeeper Steve Rixon is also a contender for the assignment after fellow Australian coaches -- West Australian coach Tom Moody and Victoria's Greg Shipperd told AAP they would look to continue their state jobs.
Rixon coached the Black Caps from 1997 to 1999 and has emerged as a contender for the post after Andy Moles resigned last week following a player backlash.
Former Sri Lanka coach Moody said he was happy with his WA and Kings XI Punjab IPL commitments and had no great desire to return to the Test arena. Shipperd, who showed interest in coaching NZ before the job was awarded to Moles, virtually ruled himself out due to personal reasons, despite also recently re-signing with Victoria.
NSW coach Matthew Mott is also understood to be unavailable after re-signing with the Blues, who he took to the Champions League Twenty20 title.
New Zealand Cricket is in no rush to appoint a replacement for Moles with captain Daniel Vettori to hold the reins until next February.
Moody backed spinner Vettori to handle both roles without the extra responsibilities affecting his game.
"He's an impressive individual, not only as a player but also a leader," Moody said.
Wright is the right choice
Meanwhile, former New Zealand Cricket CEO Martin Snedden has said he fully supports and backs John Wright to take on the role of coach of the national team.
Speaking from a Rugby World Cup launch in Tokyo, Snedden said Wright stuck out like a sore thumb as the perfect person to replace the ousted Andy Moles.
Contrary to public belief, Wright has always been available to coach New Zealand, if asked, and Snedden would like to see an invitation issued to the man who earned such rave reviews during his four-and-a-half years in charge of India.
"I'm going to put my hand up and say John Wright's time is now, he would be great," Snedden said.
"Right at the heart of this is John Wright has the know-how. So much of what he brings is required. The skill of batting, the passion, he was so nationalistic as a player, we need that right now," the Dominion Post quoted Snedden, as saying
Until now Snedden refused to comment on NZC business, out of respect to the new administration, but one sensed there is a hint of concern that the sport is in danger of overlooking a man right under its nose.
Wright has been NZC's high performance manager for two years, having previously coached India from 2000-2005 and English county Kent before that from 1996-2000.
As a player, he played 82 Tests for New Zealand, 14 as captain.
"John Wright is someone who over a really long period of time was able to work it all out," Snedden said.
"He did it as a player and then he did it as a coach. If you go four to five years as coach of India you have to be incredibly resilient, and that is a really important quality of a coach," he added.
Snedden said Wright's strengths would comfortably outweigh apparent concerns NZC have about his organizational skills.
"It is far better to have a coach with John Wright's skills and knowhow than someone else who might have that [an ability to organise] and very little else," he added.
