Cricket: King, Sainsbury to apply for role of coach Otago

Nathan King.
Nathan King.
Interim Otago coach Nathan King and Otago Country coach Andy Sainsbury have declared their hand.

Both intend to apply for the Volts coaching role which was vacated when Vaughn Johnson resigned early last month.

The job has been advertised and applications close on May 5.

King, who assisted Johnson, said he enjoyed his stint in charge and would be making an application.

''It is something that I've identified I'd like to do in the future and the time is right,'' he said.

''It is always hard to know when the right time will be but I've enjoyed the last month or so and obviously an opportunity exists and I'm keen to put my name in the hat.''

King has a New Zealand level three coaching certificate but has not played first-class cricket.

The job advertisement states success at first-class cricket is desirable but not essential and King does not believe it will count against him.

Andy Sainsbury.
Andy Sainsbury.
He cited Black Caps coach Mike Hesson as a prime example of someone who has had a successful coaching career without having played first-class cricket.

Sainsbury applied three years ago and will try again but does not rate his prospects.

''Having spoken to Ross Dykes [Otago Cricket Association chief executive] previously, he told me he would be disappointed if I didn't apply ... but I don't expect much more than that really.

''The frontrunner must be Nathan King because he was the assistant.''

Sainsbury has coached Otago Country for nine years and has also coached Otago A to success at the national A tournament.

''There is not too much more I can do without getting an opportunity.''

The province's leading scorer Craig Cumming is on holiday with his family in Australia and could not be reached for comment.

He would shape as a leading contender if he was interested in the role.

However, it may be too early for Cumming, who only retired at the end of the 2012-11 season.

He is also is understood to be ambitious about his burgeoning broadcasting career.

Canterbury assistant coach Paul Wiseman ruled out a move to Dunedin three years ago when the job was last on offer and will probably pass up the opportunity again.

He is happy within the Canterbury set-up and said the timing was not right for his family.

''I have a young family here and we're very happy. I'm enjoying the role I have with Canterbury and it has allowed me to get my teeth stuck into the national spin bowling programme which gives me a bit of variety as well.

''I think at this stage the answer would be that I wouldn't be looking for that position.''

Central Districts assistant coach and manager Lance Hamilton also ruled out a shift south.

He is happy living in Hawkes Bay and sees himself more as a team manager than a coach.

He will manage New Zealand A on its tour to England this winter.

Interim White Ferns and Otago Sparks coach Warren Lees said it was not for him either.

While Lees is enjoying his role with the Sparks and the White Ferns, the 62-year-old said he was not prepared to commit to coaching a first-class team at this stage of his life.

He was, however, happy to help out if a younger coach was appointed or to step in in an interim role if the association was in need.

New Zealand great and former Otago coach Glenn Turner said he would not be applying.

''I'm sort of taking a break from it all in the meantime and we'll just see how the dust settles with a number of things in cricket,'' he said.

''I'm certainly not a contender.''

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