Ex-Oz coach Buchanan set to take over Kiwi cricket

Wellington, New Zealand (ANI): Former Australian cricket team coach John Buchanan is almost certain to be appointed New Zealand Cricket’s first director of cricket.

The cricket board is expected to rubber stamp the appointment this Friday.ccording to a report in the Dominion Post, the job is being created to oversee NZ Cricket’s entire high-performance programme, which includes the Black Caps.

Buchanan is the clear frontrunner for the position. The others in the race were former England coach Duncan Fletcher and former Indian cricket team coach Gary Kirsten.

Buchanan will be offered a contract on Friday if, as expected, the NZ Cricket board agrees he is the right fit.

Buchanan was the Australian coach between 1999 and 2007 and has worked as a cricket consultant since.

According to the Sunday Star Times, he will become arguably the most powerful man in New Zealand cricket after NZ Cricket boss Justin Vaughan when he is appointed.

The appointment needs to be made before a decision is made on the replacement for Daniel Vettori as Black Caps skipper.

“I can certainly confirm we’ve met with John,” Vaughan said last week.

“He’s got great credentials for the role but we’ve spoken to a few candidates and ultimately there will be a recommendation made to the New Zealand Cricket board on Friday.”

The director of cricket is expected to play a major role in the appointment of a new national selection panel and the next Black Caps captain.

The current panel members - Mark Greatbatch, Glenn Turner and Lance Cairns - are off contract at the end of this month.