Lindsay Crocker. Photo / Paul Estcourt
The long-playing record that is the identity of New Zealand's team manager took another turn last night with the players' association urging prompt clarification over what has become a public relations bungle.
This morning, the New Zealand squad headed for Napier and the second test against the West
Indies, starting on Friday. As of yesterday, manager Lindsay Crocker was still awaiting confirmation on how long New Zealand Cricket want him to continue in the job.
On Sunday night last week, in the build up to the first test against the West Indies, Crocker was farewelled by the team, and members of the Cricket Players' Association in Dunedin.
The assumption was he was to be replaced by former Rowing New
Zealand chief executive Craig Ross before the first test began last Thursday.
Instead Ross departed after 24 hours for more talks with NZC and Crocker, manager for the last five years, has continued on a day-by-day basis.
"The sooner we get some certainty round managing the team the better," Players Association manager Heath Mills said last night.
He added that he knew NZC were trying to iron out the situation as soon as they could.
"The uncertainty in the leadership is not good for the group. Obviously the manager is critical and we've got important games coming up."
After the Napier test, the players head for Auckland and the first of two Twenty20 games, on Boxing Day at Eden Park. Mills' concern is that the situation be resolved before the holiday period kicks in.
He said the players had made it clear they wanted clarity around who was in charge of the group.
Mills confirmed that he made a speech on the Sunday night thanking Crocker on behalf of the players for his hard work and passion in the job, expecting he would be replaced before the test started.
The Players' Association support a transition period, if a change is to be made this season.
Given the current confusion regarding the manager's post, if there is to be a change, keeping the status quo until the end of the West Indies tour would seem the most sensible course of action.
NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said on the weekend that it had "an appointment process in place which means we're not going to make a public comment about the involvement of any individual until that process is finished".
