Cricket: Look who's coaching the Bay of Plenty cricket team

Former New Zealand cricket coach Geoff Howarth expects his first few days back coaching will be spent getting to know his players.

Howarth, who was one of New Zealand's most successful captains before an ill-fated and controversial stint as national coach in the mid-1990s, steps in today as coach of the Bay of Plenty senior men's team.

Bay of Plenty take on Thames Valley at Tauranga Domain this weekend in their two-day Fergus Hickey Rosebowl game.

"I don't know many of the guys in the team so I would guess the initial period as coach will be a bit of familiarisation more than anything," Howarth said.

"I was only invited by Bay of Plenty cricket on Monday to help the team out, so it has all been fairly rushed."

Howarth arrived home in Tauranga in late September from England, where he is based in Buckinghamshire, north of London.

"It has always been my plan to spend six months here and six months in England, mainly to escape the English winter," he said.

"I'm heading back after the season and I'm unsure of any further work with Bay of Plenty beyond these next few games.

"If things do develop further down the track that would be great, but I'm not looking too far ahead."

Howarth has something of a pedigree as he enjoyed a successful reign as coach of Northern Districts in the early 1990s.

He said his role with Bay of Plenty was likely to be advisory, given the season was half over.

"Hopefully, I can help a few of the players out technically with aspects of their game.

"I could also perhaps offer some guidance from my experiences in the game and what I've been through.

"I could be of some assistance to [captain] Matthew Hart with the tactical side, too."

Bay of Plenty need maximum points against Thames Valley this weekend to stay in touch with Hamilton, who are leading the Fergus Hickey Rosebowl competition.

- NZPA