KEY POINTS:
John Bracewell is keeping mum on his future coaching intentions, saying he wants to wait until the end of the tournament before declaring his hand.
Having taken over the reins from Denis Aberhart in 2003, Bracewell will come to the end of his contract in August and has so far avoided making any comment on whether he'll seek a second term.
New Zealand have impressed so far in their World Cup campaign, and a place in the final would probably be enough to secure Bracewell's entitlement to a reappointment, although a semifinal finish or less would weaken his case.
"The job - let's just see what happens at the end," Bracewell said yesterday. "I just want to stay focused on this [tournament], and stay focused on the pleasure of it.
"We've worked bloody hard to get here and that's where I want my attention to remain."
The former Gloucester coach should not want for employment options if he can maintain New Zealand's unbeaten run through the tournament, a task that will become much more difficult in Grenada over the next 10 days.
Greg Chappell's decision to abandon India has left a vacancy at the helm of world cricket's leading power-brokers, and the tragic death of Bob Woolmer means Pakistan will also be seeking a new head coach.
Bracewell's status is also a shade less certain now that his close friend and immediate superior, Martin Snedden, has opted to resign as New Zealand Cricket's chief executive, in order to take over the company in charge of organising the Rugby World Cup.
Former New Zealand all-rounder and Auckland businessman Justin Vaughan is expected to be confirmed soon as Snedden's replacement, which is bound to alter the relationship between the national team coach and the NZC administration.
Bracewell, however, insists that he's been able to enjoy his time as coach as well as coping with the various pressure and challenges, and has been stimulated and excited by his present examination in the Caribbean.
"The only game I didn't enjoy was the England match at the start," he said. "That was because we'd been waiting two years for it.
"It was probably as intense a game as I've ever been through, and I think the team felt that as well."
The former New Zealand off-spinner toured the West Indies with Geoff Howarth's side in 1985, missing the first three tests before being included for the fourth at Sabina Park, Kingston. He also played in two of the five one-dayers - at Berbice, Guyana, and at Port of Spain, Trinidad.
"Coming back after twenty years was always something I really looked forward to, as was returning to India after touring there as a player. It's a lovely feeling."
Aware that Guyana and Georgetown were often derided as the least-attractive of the West Indian destinations, Bracewell said he and the team had discovered during the present visit that the reputation was undeserved.
"I've actually found it really enjoyable here," he said. "It's a captivating place. It's got fascinating culture and history. The architecture is enthralling; the greenery suits me. I think it's an outstanding place."
