Cricket: Rutherford up for national job

Ken Rutherford. Photo / APN

Former New Zealand captain Ken Rutherford is among four candidates understood to have been interviewed by New Zealand Cricket for the new national selection manager (NSM) role.

Rutherford, Bowls Australia high performance manager Kim Littlejohn and past NZC selectors Glenn Turner and Mark Greatbatch are believed to make up the shortlist. A decision on the appointment could come this week. The key part of the job is working alongside national coach John Wright in selecting the New Zealand team as well as liaising with provincial coaches in that process. The NSM would also oversee age group and women's selections.

New NZC director of cricket John Buchanan has previously indicated the new system is set up to give the head coach responsibility for final team selection and allow for greater performance accountability. Effectively there will now be a two-man panel with Wright and the NSM - Wright has the deciding vote.

Since Rutherford lost the New Zealand captaincy in 1995, the 45-year-old has worked offshore in roles such as captaining Gauteng province in South Africa, coaching Ireland and working in the Singapore and South African betting industries. His views were sourced by media during this year's World Cup on how to clean up match and spot-fixing in cricket.

Littlejohn has worked for Bowls Australia since 2004 but has a strong cricket background. He has been an elite coach with Melbourne University and played premier league cricket in Western Australia and professional cricket in Britain. He is also a former operations manager at Baseball Victoria.

Greatbatch has been the interim NSM since the previous panel model was scrapped this year. He oversaw the decision to make Ross Taylor national captain and sorted out the 2011-12 contracts list. Greatbatch's familiarity with current international players and the domestic scene could offer continuity.

Turner's cricketing skills, be they selection, coaching or playing, have been present in New Zealand for most of the last 42 years. He is still seen by many as a pioneer back in the 1970s, paving the way for today's professionals. The 64-year-old's technical savvy and objectivity are much sought after.

The appointments panel is understood to have included Buchanan, NZC chief executive
Justin Vaughan and other appointees deemed suitable by the board.

The New Zealand team to tour Zimbabwe in October-November is expected to be named early next month.