Ford: Kiwi Job Not For Me

Bracewell - on his way out.

Graham Ford looks set to snub a second international coaching role in the space of 12 months after he played down speculation linking him to the soon-to-be vacant New Zealand job.

The 47-year-old, who turned down a three-year deal to coach India last year, has been widely touted as a major target of New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to replace John Bracewell who will leave the post in April.

Ford has international experience having coached his native South Africa at the turn of the century, however he has been reluctant to make a return to that stage since taking over as director of cricket at English county Kent in 2004.

And while he admitted NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan had contacted him about the vacancy, Ford indicated he was happy to remain in England.

"Justin Vaughan the CEO of the New Zealand Cricket Board was over here on their tour and he contacted me earlier in the summer," Ford told The Kent Messenger.

"He asked if I'd be interested in the position and to be coaching again on the international stage would be exciting.

"I expressed some interest at that point, but don't know any details and have had no further discussion or contact."

Last week former Scotland and Kenya trainer Andy Moles revealed he has applied for the coaching position while New South Wales coach, Matthew Mott, will be interviewed in the next fortnight after he was asked by NZC to apply.

Those two would seemingly have the inside running, with Ford maintaining his reticence to leave Kent.

"I thought they (NZC) had their man to be honest and whether something is in the pipeline I'm not sure," Ford added.

"It's something I might explore, but it would be a massive step in my life and it's unlikely that it's something that I'd be charging off to do.

"I'm very happy with the set-up here at Kent. I'm working with a fantastic cricket management team and captain, those relationships have developed well and are going nicely.

"Certainly I have no firm feelings at this point of wanting to head off in any other direction."