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An early announcement from John Bracewell that he will step down as national coach will quash speculation and allow time to recruit a replacement, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) says.
NZC today announced Bracewell will not seek reappointment when his contract expires next April.
Bracewell, who is with the New Zealand team in England, has hinted at a return to coaching at county level in that country.
He had a five-year coaching stint with Gloucestershire before taking up his New Zealand role in 2003.
NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said he had discussed Bracewell's future at the end of last summer and it had become evident the 50-year-old would step down.
"It's a pretty difficult job with all the constant travel and constant media attention," Vaughan said.
"I think John - by the end of this term - feels he needs a change, and I think that's completely understandable."
Vaughan said it was beneficial for NZC to get the news out in the open as early as possible, rather than wait until the end of the current tour.
"A few people have been whispering about what his intentions might be, and about linking him with other roles.
"But it's also to really allow New Zealand Cricket an unrushed search and recruitment process so we can go around having discussions with coaches either within New Zealand or internationally.
"And to be able to do that in an open manner, rather than having to try and do it on the sly."
Under Bracewell, New Zealand have done well in one-day internationals, reaching the semifinals of the 2007 World Cup, and hold down a current ranking of No 3.
At the same time they have languished in the test rankings, and have a present ranking of No 7.
Vaughan said test match opportunities had been limited for the national side.
"This series against England is really important and I can see the side growing their performances in test cricket, certainly even within the tenure of John."
The team have the opportunity to improve before Bracewell departs, with a test and one-day series in Bangladesh following September's Champions Trophy one-day tournament.
They then return to New Zealand before taking on Australia in a pre-Christmas test series, ahead of home series against the West Indies and India and a five-match one-day series in Australia early next year.
Vaughan said NZC would not discriminate between nationality when seeking a new coach.
"The preference is for the coach who can take this group of players and I guess win lots of games.
"Whether that's a New Zealander or an international coach, they will just have to be decided on their merits."
Former India coach and current NZC high performance programme manager John Wright would be a favourite to replace Bracewell if he applied for the position.
- NZPA
