Cricket: Vettori comfortable with coach position

He's heard the rumours, and New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori admits he's relaxed about the prospect of continuing without a head coach.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) are working through various scenarios around the national side, which include the prospect of Vettori retaining the extra responsibility for the upcoming inbound tours by Bangladesh and Australia.

One option being strongly considered is current selector Mark Greatbatch being employed as a full-time batting coach, and popular former test captain Jeff Crowe returning to the manager's role, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Vettori, in Sydney for a victorious Twenty20 cameo for Queensland, was aware of rumours about the coaching situation but insisted nothing had been decided yet.

"I'm not fussed because I'm not involved with the New Zealand team, we're playing domestic cricket and I know people are working really hard on it. It's not a concern to me," he told NZPA.

"Because the team ran relatively smoothly through Dubai and the Pakistan test series, I think we can maintain that. But I also know there is a desire to put whatever structure in place as soon as possible."

NZC were reportedly keen to address the side's achilles heel -- batting -- while acknowledging Vettori had coped well with the extra responsibility.

Greatbatch and former test captain and successful India coach John Wright were the obvious candidates for the role of batting coach, with Greatbatch apparently having the inside running.

Crowe quit as manager after the 2003 tour of Sri Lanka and became an ICC match referee, and Vettori said he'd be welcomed back if that was NZC's wish.

"I really enjoyed my time with him (Crowe), I still keep in touch and see him around as match referee at ICC tournaments.

"I consider him a friend and he did a really good job. Whatever role he came back in, I know he'd be an asset."

The coach's role remained vacant since Englishman Andy Moles resigned before the Pakistan series in Dubai amid talk of widespread player dissatisfaction.

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