New Zealand Cricket might not be able to financially afford the likes of Dan Vettori – bowling coach with Australia, and Baz McCullum, head coach England. But in their own inimitable style of maximising results from minimal resources, Kiwi cricketers continue to survive and thrive with coaching stints abroad.
Former captain Ross Taylor started his stint as batting coach with BBL side Brisbane Heat, joining a long list of NZ professional coaches, who are taking up jobs abroad.
Commenting on these, Taylor said on an ABC podcast, “It’s part and parcel of where world cricket is, like it is for players.. Dan obviously has a good relationship with (Aus coach) McDonald. Unfortunately New Zealand with its resources can’t afford to pay Vettori and McCullum what they might as coaches…so they ply their trade elsewhere.”
Fleming was consulted at the last T20 World Cup, a one-off, by the Black Caps, but guessed it didn’t amount to sounding him out for a full time role.
He added that it was upto the board, NZ Cricket to keep legends of the game involved, and they did what they could. “Obviously NZ Cricket are trying to get past players …Stephen Fleming’s been around and about …He has had a fantastic coaching career with Chennai and Stars and different teams. To be coaching full time in NZ is probably a bit unrealistic. But (getting them in for) the one odd tournament and odd tour is the way forward…to keep legends stilll involved,” Taylor said.
Taylor has family in Australia and said the time difference made BBL popular back home in New Zealand prompting him taking up the job, as franchise cricket had taken root.
England head coach Brendon McCullum (FILE)
Taylor was also receptive to the idea of having a Kiwi franchise in Big Bash. “Every big sport – Rugby (Union), A League (soccer), Rugby league, basketball has that trend, so it makes sense to have a cricket team. But whether it is financially viable is a million dollar question. We (cricket) are a little bit behind times .. but one New Zealand team in BBL would be competitive and add a new dimension to Big Bash,” he told the podcast.
Taylor added that with several stars declining national contracts, players too enjoyed flexibility to pick and choose the cricket they wanted to play. The timing might have something to do with the pragmatic thinking. “NZ cricket had earlier put brakes, but now many are not taking international contracts. Now World Cups are over, so it gives players freedom… Trent Boult was first to do it… But
Trent and Kane will be the first to get picked even if not on central contract, when team is selected for England,” he said.
Taylor continued that times had changed, with IPL being biggest in terms of size of contracts. Finn Allen and Lockie Ferguson didn’t take central contracts so they have flexibility and can sign 2-3 franchise deals which are significantly more than national contracts,” the former Black Cap said. “In a long career everyone wants to play for New Zealand. But money becomes too good and you have to think of self and family,” he said.
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