Former Australia coach Buchanan joins NZC – reports

WELLINGTON,  (Reuters) – Former Australia cricket  coach John Buchanan has been confirmed as the new director of  cricket for Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand, according to local  media reports yesterday.

Calls to New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Justin  Vaughan were not immediately returned.

“John’s appointment is an exciting one for New Zealand  Cricket,” Vaughan was quoted as saying by the New Zealand Press  Association. “He has a great cricketing pedigree and will  provide outstanding leadership as NZC look to move forward.”

The 58-year-old Buchanan coached Australia from 1999-2007,  when they won two one-day World Cups and had a world record of  16 successive test victories.

He also acted as a consultant for England before their  recent Ashes series in Australia, which the tourists won 3-1.

Buchanan, who will be in charge of the high performance  programme and implement consistent coaching and talent  identification programmes, will take up his position in May.