Cricket: Consultant Fletcher looking at various options

He's unlikely to be head coach but Duncan Fletcher is willing to consider a consultancy role with New Zealand Cricket as speculation builds over the future appointment.

Fletcher helped to guide England to its first Ashes victory in 18 years in 2005 then suffered the ignominy of losing the urn back to Australia 5-0 in the summer of 2006-07. His other claims to coaching pedigree with England included away test series victories in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa in the years 2000-2004. Since his exit after the side's poor 2007 World Cup, Fletcher has taken his skills to South Africa, ahead of last summer's first test series win in Australia, as well as English county Hampshire. He is contracted to the South Africans for the test series against England, starting next month, and is thought to be available after that.

From his Cape Town home, the 61-year-old former Zimbabwe captain says he still wants to impart knowledge.

"I'm not passing any comment on availability at the moment about New Zealand or anyone. I'm discussing jobs with quite a few people. I had seven years dealing with the British press so you learn a lot of things. All I'll say is organisations are employing me for consultancy work and it's a pleasure."

Fletcher is likely to appeal to the Black Caps as a backroom, cricket-savvy general manager capable of churning through tactics and plotting strategy. He's considered a natural introvert so communication's not a noted strength. However, in the past he's regularly consulted a senior group of players, used specialist coaches on a contract basis and employed an in-depth medical and management support staff as part of a desire to delegate. Fletcher wouldn't come cheap but is also not renowned for being money-hungry, having turned down offers from Indian Premier League sides.

"The greatest thrill for me is helping individuals and teams play better cricket. Recently I was working in camp with the South African team in Potchefstrom ahead of the Champions Trophy. I'm also going up just over a week before the test series with England in early December. I'm prepared to help anyone in a consultancy role. I've got value to add, especially on the batting side, but also other disciplines like the mental side of bowling."

Another matter he should be able to strike up some sort of rapport with the Black Caps on is his love of rugby.

"You make sure the All Blacks win next week against England," he advises. "I'm more passionate about that game than cricket. It's just lovely to watch, I really enjoy it."

However, while Fletcher has been able to engineer cricket success in many instances, he's reluctant to take his expertise back to his native Zimbabwe any time soon.

"I haven't been back for ages, I've been busy, but it is still a great place to holiday. My ideal would be staying at the Kariba Dam on the Zambian/Zimbabwe border - there are no phones and no press to bug you. You just sit there with a fishing rod and relax."