SYDNEY - Former New Zealand captain John Wright is staying put in Christchurch, for now, after turning down the job of head coach at Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence.
Wright confirmed he was tempted, but withdrew from the race to succeed the newly promoted Australian coach Tim Nielsenin the full-time Brisbane-based job which would include coaching the Australia A side.
"It didn't quite work out," Wright said from his North Canterbury farm yesterday. "I haven't been back in New Zealand long, and I was away for 4 1/2 years. I've got teenage kids [aged 15 and 13]. It's just not the right time."
Wright, who established himself as one of the world's most in-demand coaches during his stint with India from 2000-05, visited the Cricket Australia facility in Brisbane last month. It was reported that he was first choice for the job.
Spokesman Philip Pope confirmed Wright was "no longer part of the process", but had been invited with other top coaches for a week-long guest coaching stint in Brisbane this year.
The Sydney Morning Herald yesterday reported that Wright, former test fast bowler Bruce Reid, and the man who succeeded Wright as India coach, Greg Chappell, had all been contracted by Cricket Australia as part-time consultant coaches for next season.
"I may do a little bit of work in between, starting in August. It's not quite confirmed but we'll see what happens," Wright said.
Where that leaves his potential role with New Zealand Cricket is not clear.
Wright described himself as "between jobs" and enjoying the relaxed lifestyle just north of Christchurch.
Incumbent New Zealand coach John Bracewell's contract is up for review and he is yet to state whether he will chase another tenure. High performance manager Ric Charlesworth has also raised the prospect of separate coaches for the test and one-day sides.
Asked if he saw a future with NZ Cricket, based less than an hour's drive from his farm, Wright was non-committal, saying: "I wouldn't rule anything out."
