Cricket: Donald leaves Black Caps at 11th hour

Allan Donald. Photo / Getty Images

They had their man. The terms and conditions were agreed, the logistics were sorted. All New Zealand Cricket was waiting for was Allan Donald's signature on the dotted line.

Instead, on Saturday, chief executive Justin Vaughan got an awkward and "embarrassed" phone call.

Donald will be unveiled as South Africa's bowling coach later today, a role he was offered and accepted with New Zealand.

"We've had conversations for the best part of six weeks," Vaughan revealed. "We'd agreed terms in his contract and he was looking at relocating his family to New Zealand. Obviously things changed towards the end of last week.

"He was given a strong indication there were opportunities available to him at the highest level of South African cricket - and he's South African."

The news came as a blow to Vaughan and particularly coach John Wright, whose 10-week partnership with Donald before and during this year's World Cup proved fruitful. Tim Southee in particular seemed to thrive under the guidance of the artist formerly known as White Lightning.

"In the end you can only employ people who want to work with you," Vaughan said. "We just need to say, 'Thanks very much' and we'll go and get a good replacement."

Vaughan said recently appointed director of cricket John Buchanan and Wright were already in discussions about drawing up a list of targets, but it was too early to name names.

"I don't know if they've made any calls yet, but the advantage we have is there's no competitive international cricket until the end of October."

There are a number of young fast bowling prospects NZC wants to work intensively with over the winter, however, and Vaughan said there would be resources made available for that.

Central Districts' quartet of Adam Milne, Ben Wheeler, Bevan Small and Doug Bracewell have caught the eye, as have Northern's Trent Boult, who has previously been selected for New Zealand, Wellington's Tipene Friday and Canterbury's Matt Henry.

Donald's retreat means Buchanan has been handed a busy start to his tenure as director of cricket.

This week he is expected to announce a two-man selection panel.

While it is a given that coach John Wright will be one, the second man has been a closely guarded secret.

Former Otago coach Mike Hesson has emerged as the front-runner for the role as Buchanan moves to lessen the influence of selection on the day-to-day management of high-performance cricket. Hesson stood down as Otago coach at the end of last season.

Glenn Turner and Mark Greatbatch have not been ruled out, but the prevailing thought seems to be that a complete break with the former panel, which also included Lance Cairns, would be beneficial.

The set-up would have scouts around the country watching first-class cricket and reporting their findings to Hesson, should he get the job, who would then meet with Wright.

Vaughan said that announcement is not expected until Wednesday.