KEY POINTS:
Olympic team chef de mission Dave Currie has been appointed manager of the New Zealand cricket team for the series against India starting this month.
After a prolonged selection process which at times played out messily in the media, Currie will succeed Lindsay Crocker, manager for the past
five years, who farewells the team after tomorrow's Twenty20 international against Australia here.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Justin Vaughan confirmed the appointment for a three-year period today.
"Dave has a great track record of success and will bring proven leadership and an ability to create an environment where high-performing teams and athletes can thrive," Vaughan said.
Currie was head of the Halberg Trust from 1988-2005, and was New Zealand chef de mission at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games and 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
He will continue as chef de mission at next year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, and the London Olympics in 2012.
Vaughan said Currie would be released from his role to attend the Commonwealth Games, and a temporary manager would be appointed for the tour to Bangladesh which clashes with those Games.
"Both roles are about managing and inspiring teams to excel," Currie said.
Vaughan paid tribute to Crocker's "outstanding contribution" to the team.
Vaughan admitted he regretted how the appointment process had been played out in public during the West Indies series in December.
It was reported that former Rowing New Zealand (RNZ) chief executive Craig Ross had been appointed to the manager's role, had met the team in Dunedin, and that Crocker had already been farewelled by players and management at a farewell function.
The Press newspaper reported a background check afterwards raised a red flag on Ross, who was called back to Christchurch and did not return.
Ross was in court last year after incorrectly using RNZ funding. He was initially convicted on nine fraud charges. The conviction was overturned on appeal, but he was ordered to pay costs of $15,000.
At the time Vaughan denied Ross had been appointed, and today he said Ross remained a candidate for the position when the final decision was made.
"Those instances prior to Christmas were unfortunate, they were played out through the media, and misunderstandings occurred," Vaughan said.
"Since that time, in terms of the process we've run, I'm comfortable."
- NZPA
