Ross rejects speculation over Black Caps job

Former Rowing New Zealand boss Craig Ross has broken his silence, today refuting speculation he was the preferred candidate to take over from Lindsay Crocker as Black Caps manager and had arrived in Dunedin during the first test ready to take over.
Ross, of Mount Maunganui, dismissed as ``sheer speculation' newspaper reports he was in Dunedin last week to assume the manager's job from Crocker before a hasty backtrack from New Zealand Cricket.
``I can categorically say there was no commitment, from New Zealand Cricket or myself, that I was going to be the Black Caps manager for the West Indies series _ it was unfortunate speculation that seems to have come from some journalists from Christchurch who (decided) Lindsay Crocker was on his way out and put two and two together.
``The facts are I was invited to Dunedin as a potential candidate for the Black Caps management job _ that's all _ to observe and have a look at the Black Caps set-up. No more, no less.
``I assume I remain a candidate for the position but that's work in progress. What I saw in Dunedin was interesting but right now that's entirely in NZ Cricket's hands.
``That puts a totally different slant on some of what's been reported but those are the facts. I've been down and had a look at the set-up and we'll see how it plays out. If I can make a contribution that's good, if not I'll move on.'
Ross's role as manager of Tauranga's Baypark Stadium finished at the end of last month.
He had met New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan to discuss his future and believed he could make a contribution to the Black Caps set-up.
``(Now) would have been a great time to get in because there's huge potential there.
``I was super impressed with (new coach) Andy Moles, who will do an outstanding job and is going to be good for New Zealand cricket, and Daniel Vettori is an outstanding leader.
``Backed up by Brendon McCullum, the leadership at the top is sensational and it's just a matter of being able to put things in place and chip away at what they want to achieve.'
But Ross admitted the demands of the role were a concern.
``There's upsides and downsides, and the obvious downside is there's a hell of a lot of travel and time away, so I'd have to weigh that up. But I think I can make a contribution to the environment that exists within the Black Caps landscape.'
After a year in which he was convicted on nine charges of knowingly using forged documents to gain almost $370,000worth of charitable grants for Rowing New Zealand, before the convictions were overturned on appeal, Ross said he was looking forward to summer at home with his family.
Vaughan conceded there had been confusion over the appointment. ``I acknowledge the timing hasn't been ideal and the process has been unsettling,' he said.
Ross said the fact the Black Caps held a farewell function for Crocker in Dunedin to recognise his service was unfortunate and only fuelled speculation, especially now Crocker was staying for the duration of the West Indies series.
``That was probably a bit embarrassing for the current regime but I think it was taken on by some of the senior players. The way John Bracewell went at the end of his tenure at Adelaide, which was quick, shift, gone, didn't give anyone a chance to really allow that (farewell) to occur the way they would have liked.
``For Lindsay, I guess the thinking was if his tenure was coming to an end then let's get it (farewell) out of the way now rather than at the end of the season.'