John Wright named new coach of New Zealand

WELLINGTON - John Wright has been named as the new coach of the New Zealand cricket team.

NZ Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan said on Monday that the former test captain and coach of India will replace Mark Greatbatch.

Wright’s appointment is effective immediately, as New Zealand face Pakistan in the first of three Twenty20 internationals in Auckland on Boxing Day.

Mark Greatbatch, who coached the team on their recent tour of India, will now head an independent selection panel that includes current selector Glenn Turner and former test player Lance Cairns, Stuff.co.nz reports.

Vaughan said Greatbatch would continue his role as batting coach within the NZC high performance programme.

It means captain Daniel Vettori is no longer an official selector.

A full review of the national team was undertaken after the ODI side suffered their 11th consecutive defeat in India.

Announcing the changes, Vaughan said: “A thorough review of the Black Caps 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 Black Caps have the greatest chance of succeeding.

“The changes being made are a direct result of that process and should make a real difference,” he said.

The recommendations of the review were endorsed for implementation by the NZC board. (ANI)