John Wright to stand down as New Zealand coach..(Cricket)

John Wright has cited differences with New Zealand's director of cricket John Buchanan
as a key factor in his decision not to extend his contract as the head
coach. Wright has been in the position for only 16 months but has turned
down a proposal to stay on beyond August, when his contract expires,
meaning the upcoming tour of the West Indies will be his last engagement
as coach of New Zealand.


During Wright's time in charge, New Zealand have played nine Tests for
three wins, three losses and three draws, and they reached the
semi-finals of the World Cup last year. The highlight was the team's
first victory in a Test in Australia for a quarter of a century, and
that was followed by a respectable performance against South Africa, who
won 1-0 in New Zealand.



But despite such encouraging results, Wright said he was ready to move
on and that it was best to make way for a coach who could steer the side
through to the 2015 World Cup, which he could not envisage himself
doing. He also said differences between himself and Buchanan, who was
appointed director of cricket several months after Wright took over as
coach, had played a part.