NZC overhauls its selection system

In a major shake-up of selection system in the country, the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Wednesday disbanded its national selection panel and replaced it with a new post of National Selection Manager (NSM).

The introduction of new system means that national coach John Wright will be the all powerful man in Kiwi cricket since the NSM will work with him and as the Head Coach Wright has been given a final say on selection matters.

Due to the new system, introduced by NZC Director of Cricket John Buchanan, national selectors Glenn Turner and Lance Cairns have lost their jobs though they can apply for job of the NSM.

Mark Greatbatch, who until recently chaired the National Selection Panel, will operate as acting NSM until a permanent appointment and will oversee the selection of the 2011-12 contract list.

"The new role will be full-time and responsible for men's and women's international cricket from Under 19's through to BLACKCAPS and White Ferns.

"The NSM will be supported by a system which provides for close consultation with all Head Coaches of New Zealand teams and Major Association Head Coaches," NZC said in a statement.

Buchanan said the new system allows for greater accountability when it comes to performance.

"It is my experience, it is important to streamline the umber of people who impact on team decisions and team dynamics."

"The National Selection Manager would operate with the Head Coach to form a 'two man selection panel', with the Head Coach of the team having the final say on debated decisions," Buchanan said.

"We have therefore sought to simplify the selection process to ensure greater consistency of selections, feedback and integration of playing pathways from youth, through first class to international cricket," Buchanan said.

A large part of the role of the NSM will be liaising with first-class coaches and assessing their views on the leading players in our domestic competitions as well as consulting with high performance staff, cricket stakeholders and of course the captain.

Justin Vaughan, the NZC chief executive said the new system was supported and approved by the NZC board. He also acknowledged the good work done by the previous panel.

"While New Zealand Cricket has chosen to move away from a traditional national selection panel in favour of a new system, it is important to recognise the selectors over the past years have done a great job."