New Zealand Cricket today announced that John Wright will assume the position of BLACKCAPS head coach, effective immediately.
The decision was one of several changes within the BLACKCAPS environment agreed at the conclusion of a review of the recent tour to India.
They include:
- The appointment of Wright as coach
- The establishment of an independent selection panel
- The retention of former batting coach and current selector, Mark Greatbatch, as convener of the independent selection panel
Announcing the changes, New Zealand Cricket CEO, Justin Vaughan said: "A thorough review of the BLACKCAPS tour of India has been undertaken over the last week.
"All aspects of the tour - playing performance, preparation, selection and support staff - were examined to ensure that the BLACKCAPS have the greatest chance of succeeding.
"The changes being made are a direct result of that process and should make a real difference," said Vaughan.
The recommendations of the review have been endorsed for implementation by the New Zealand Cricket Board.
Wright will assume responsibility for the BLACKCAPS immediately, with his opening match in the role being the Boxing Day Twenty20 International between the BLACKCAPS and Pakistan.
The independent selection panel will be made up of current selectors, Mark Greatbatch, Glen Turner and former international Lance Cairns, who is currently a selector for the New Zealand Under-19 team.
The coach and captain of the BLACKCAPS will continue to contribute to the selection process and will be actively responsible for team selections on tour.
