Dave Nosworthy keeps on eyeing the Kiwi option

Stuart Hess

Former Highveld Lions coach Dave Nosworthy would be open to returning to New Zealand to coach that country’s national cricket team.

Speaking to LiveSPORT radio station in New Zealand yesterday, Nosworthy, who spent three years in New Zealand as coach of the Canterbury Wizards, said coaching the Black Caps was something he “would consider over the next couple of days”.

The New Zealand coaching position will be vacated after the Kiwis complete their tour of the Caribbean, which starts this weekend, following which incumbent John Wright will step down.

Nosworthy resigned as Lions coach on Monday citing “a number of personal and principled factors” for making his decision.

He claimed that he had already made the decision in May and wanted to “look for other options”.

Though Nosworthy is yet to disclose specific reasons for his resignation, it is understood that the question of player contracts, particularly for the Strikers players, was influential in his decision. Nosworthy always had a strong say in who was contracted at the franchise and it appears some of those powers were taken away from him.

Though he wants to have a short break before deciding on his future, New Zealand Cricket’s deadline may force Nosworthy’s hand. “There is a lot to decide,” Nosworthy told the station. “The Black Caps have always been a passion for me ever since I first set foot in New Zealand. I’ve always kept a close eye on them and followed their progress.”

Nosworthy emphasised that he was yet to apply for the position. Applications close today.

“I know there is limited time, which adds to the pressure. I don’t want to rush into anything, I’m aware of the closing date.”

Nosworthy had great success when he was signed up by Canterbury winning the domestic T20 competition and the one-day tournament in 2005/06. In 2007/08 they won the premier first class competition.

Nosworthy returned to SA in 2008 to coach the Lions and in two of the last three years they’ve qualified for the lucrative Champions League T20 tournament. Actual trophy success has frustratingly been absent with last season’s run to the MiWayT20 final the closest they came to annexing silverware in Nosworthy’s time at the franchise.

Nosworthy said there were a number of factors to consider were he to take the job. The most critical being relocating his family again in such a short space of time. “As a professional coach I am well aware that is something we have to do and so is my family.

“Mentally I have to be in the right space,” he added.

Nosworthy claimed he would have little problem working with either Ross Taylor, New Zealand’s captain, or John Buchanan the former Australian coach who is New Zealand’s Director of Cricket.

“I don’t have a one-on-one relationship with John, but he seems to be a passionate and driven man.”

Speaking later on the show, Ian Smith, the former New Zealand wicketkeeper – and now a leading commentator – said Nosworthy “fits the bill” for what Buchanan wants.

“I think he is a genuinely serious candidate for what New Zealand want out of their coach.

They don’t want a loud guy or a powerful dominant figure,” said Smith.

Meanwhile, the Lions Board will meet next week to decide on Nosworthy’s successor.

With the Champions League – which will be played in this country in the second half of October – taking place early in the season it would appear that they will stick with Nosworthy’s assistants Geoffrey Toyana and Gordon Parsons.