Mott In The Running For Kiwi Job

Bracewell - on his way out.

New South Wales coach Matthew Mott has been asked to apply for the post of New Zealand coach, and joins a list of possible successors to John Bracewell that is thought to include former South African coach Graham Ford and erstwhile Scotland trainer Andy Moles.

"I was flattered to get asked and the thought of an international job is very exciting," Mott enthused. "There's a fair bit to think about before the job becomes available. I've got to fulfil a contract here at New South Wales - it ends at the end of the season - and that's my first priority."

34-year-old Mott is not concerned that, if he were to get the job, he'd be in the same age bracket as some of the players.

"I've found it a good thing. At New South Wales I hadn't played with the guys so it was a new playing group," he said. "Being around their age I could relate to them and understand how things worked with the contract system and the structures."

Mott, a decent first-class cricker in his day, took over at New South Wales in 2007 when Trevor Bayliss left to coach Sri Lanka and was meant to assist Aussie coach Tim Nielsen on their tour of Pakistan earlier this year but that was cancelled.

He then linked up with his former Queensland mentor John Buchanan at the Kolkata franchise in May's Indian Premier League and has enjoyed a successful stint with the NSW Blues since.

Bracewell will step down from the post next April to take up a job as director of cricket with Gloucestershire.