Justin Vaughan not worried over staff departures

Justin Vaughan, New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) chief executive, says he isn't worried over the number of employees quitting the board as part of its restructuring program. In June, Vaughan announced the scrapping of 11 positions and the creation of 20 in a revamp aimed at turning NZC into a world-class organisation.

"We knew that as a result of the restructuring a number of people were going to leave. Previously NZC has been a stable environment with a lot of people having worked there over a long period of time," Vaughan told the Press.

"If we are going to achieve the strategic goals we have set then there needs to be some regeneration of staff involved. With a change in the way we are operating you can expect a change in personnel."

The resignations reported so far include Alec Astle, the national development manager, who quit after 10 years of service, and Dayle Hadlee, former bowling coach and New Zealand Academy head, who is considering an overseas offer. Dayle Shackel, the physiotherapist, has not renewed his contract; Warren Frost, whose position as sports science medical coordinator was among those scrapped, has also left. Brian Aldridge, the umpiring manager, and Steve Jenkin, the coach of the women's team, had quit recently. Gary Stead, the former New Zealand batsman, was appointed in Jenkin's place.

The position of Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand team's general manager, remains unclear. Crocker was originally a contender for the new position of general manager (cricket), but Vaughan couldn't confirm details on that position. "We want to get the right person in that job and things will flow from there," he said.

New Zealand are still on the lookout for John Bracewell's replacement as the national coach. Reports suggest that some of the contenders for the post are Andy Moles, Greg Shipperd and Dipak Patel.