LEAD STORY - CRICKET: Barlow ponders his options

ANENDRA SINGH
IT'S almost as if Graham Barlow is caught up in the twilight zone.
In the four seasons he has coached the Central Districts Stags cricket team, the former England representative has experienced a potpourri of emotions.
As he finds himself in transit as outgoing coach of New Zealand's most geographically fragmented district, the 58-year-old shows the hallmark of what the Black Caps desperately need - a batsman who is quite content on the crease to let a line-and-length bowler get away with dot balls in a test match.
When SportToday asked him yesterday what his plans were, Barlow (pictured right) replied: ``I'm pretty open. We're looking at several options but we'll be doing something fairly soon.'
After a decade of coaching, including a five-year stint in South Africa, the idea of a New Zealand Cricket innings appeals to him, especially if the parent body expands its specialist coaching network.
But then again, the world is suddenly an oyster for the man who had no qualms about making deadline-wary journalists wait outside the changing rooms for endless minutes in front of the Harris Stand at McLean Park, Napier, while he debriefed the Stags following their one-day and four-day encounters.
``I could write a book, do something with the media or work for a company,' he said when asked what alternatives he had if cricket fails to deliver.
Barlow's highlights include winning the State Championship in 2005-06, State Twenty20 this season and making the State Shield finals in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
He also enjoyed the individual progress some players made, such as Black Caps Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Tim Weston, Brendon Diamanti and Greg Hay to name a few.
It was good to see several Stags move up to Caps duties but it often impacted on CD who changed dramatically, finding themselves exposing inexperienced players - something Barlow said was reflected in their competitiveness in the one-dayers and the lack of it in the protracted four-dayers.
The niggly injuries to retired Lance Hamilton and Black Caps paceman Michael Mason also took their toll on the bowling attack.
But Barlow emphasised that he was happy with the way he was leaving the Stags despite the ups and downs of selection.
``Four years is a long time with a group and I'm happy with where that group is. They need a new voice instead of hearing the same things all over again. I need to recharge my batteries ,too.'
How about his country of birth? ``Most of my family's here. My two elder daughters are studying at Otago University and my younger daughter is here. My parents and a sister are in Australia so going back is not an option.'
Barlow said he had enjoyed working with former SportToday scribe Hamish Bidwell, who ``stimulated' him during his tenure.
In a statement of tribute to Barlow yesterday, CD boss Blair Furlong said Barlow has decided not to re-apply for the position.
``Graham has built a well integrated team over his tenure and has worked extremely hard and has brought the Stags some fantastic results,' Furlong said.