Cricket: Wright says budget held back Black Caps

New Zealand cricket coach John Wright. Photo / File

New Zealand's lack of preparation for the current tour to the West Indies has been badly exposed, and outgoing coach John Wright has revealed he wanted to take the team to Australia for a lead-up camp but New Zealand Cricket denied his request.

New Zealand are nearing the middle of their lengthy tour, which includes two Twenty20s, five one-day games and two tests, and they're yet to register a victory over the hosts. They have also suffered a swag of injuries which has further dented their progress.

Winter tours aren't ideal for the Kiwis if they didn't play in the IPL or have a county deal in England, as it means they're light on match practice.

Wright, who will step down after this tour, said he wanted to take his players across the Tasman for a pre-tour programme.

"Normally we have had camps in North Queensland, Maroochydore. They weren't available and you just have to get on with it," he said.

"We were aware that it was going to be very difficult to come up to match play immediately and I think that has showed. It's been very challenging for the players but we were given budgetary reasons for those decisions. It was less than satisfactory but it is what it is and you just get on with it. No one enjoys losing. We just have to get on with things."

Wright denied the refusal from New Zealand Cricket to grant his wish of a trip to Australia had contributed to him wanting to stand down from his role.

"No. I gave the reasons when I made the decision. I just decided not to renew my contract. That's not changed.

"[I've] just been working hard to get a result on this tour; that's challenging. It's an interesting time.

"It's a time as a coach you rack your brains to find the keys for the team and various individuals to perform to get that result and try to keep the confidence going. I have been pleased with the response of the boys. We want to win and we don't want to make excuses."

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White wasn't available to comment today.

The selectors also made the call to rest key batsman Brendon McCullum for the limited overs components of the tour but have now rushed him into the mix for the final three one-day games following the shoulder injury to skipper Ross Taylor.

McCullum remains only an outside chance to play in Thursday's must-win encounter, but with the Black Caps down 2-0 in the five-match one-day series they need a change in fortunes in St Kitts to keep the series alive.

New Zealand Cricket's director of cricket John Buchanan told Radio Sport today that the lack of preparation had been detrimental to the side, who only assembled as a squad at the airport on the way to the United States for the two Twenty20 matches.

"When you play short-form cricket, particularly T20 cricket, it does mean that your game's got to be spot on. It does mean you've got to be precise with your game, and that only comes from playing. We obviously were in our winter phase so didn't have the luxury of that."

Buchanan said the home side were in better shape at the start of the tour after recent series against Australia and England.

"They were certainly match hardened coming into the tournament, then of course they had a couple of additional players come into their side, which made a significant impact on the series so far."