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Wellington, Apr. 17 (ANI): In signing former Australian cricket team coach John Buchanan as the national director of cricket on Friday, New Zealand Cricket has potentially pulled off a coup.

His brief is wide-ranging, but includes overseeing all of New Zealand’s national teams, the Black Caps included.

Essentially, the buck will stop with Buchanan, who could now be considered the Sir Alex Ferguson of New Zealand cricket.

Most insiders believe this appointment is groundbreaking and that Buchanan will bring a professionalism that has been lacking in New Zealand Cricket’s programs.Buchanan has been signed to a staggering four-year deal. In the fickle world of high-performance sport, that is an absolute age.

As we all know, if - and let’s be fair, there will be down times - the Black Caps begin to stutter, questions will start to be asked of the new director of cricket.

NZC boss Justin Vaughan confirmed the length of the deal yesterday and said it was Buchanan’s idea.

Vaughan thought it “positive” and was quick to point out that the new appointee needed time to work his magic.

Buchanan is best known in cricket circles for his eight-year reign in charge of an Australian team that won 16 tests on the trot and three world cups between 1999 and 2007.

But he has his critics.

Shane Warne is one, but there are also others who believe the 58-year-old is simply a cricket boffin who overcomplicates a simple game.

That’s somewhat concerning, especially given that his relationship with current New Zealand coach John Wright will be crucial.

Wright couldn’t be contacted yesterday to share his views on his new boss. Vaughan said he was “supportive”.

But if there’s one thing that can be said about Wright, it’s that he’s a simple guy with simple, but effective, coaching philosophies.

Naturally, as coach he wants control of this Black Caps team. So as long as Buchanan keeps a respectful distance there should be no problems.

When he begins his new job in May, Buchanan’s first task will be to assess the current state of the national selection panel - Glenn Turner, Mark Greatbatch and Lance Cairns.

There have been reports at least one of them may be shown the door when they come off contract at the end of this month.

In the past, Buchanan has publicly espoused the view that coaches must be accountable and involved in selecting their team, suggesting, then, that Wright will be added to the panel.

Another possibility, although it’s far too early to speculate, is that the director of cricket himself may even take a seat at the selection table.

His next task after that will be to help oversee the appointment of the new Black Caps captain.

Insiders suggest the role of director of cricket was tailor-made for former Black Caps high-performance director Roger Mortimer.

Mortimer impressed many with his communication and professionalism but constantly had to fight against criticism he wasn’t a “cricket person”.

Eventually, NZC listened and decided to seek someone of Buchanan’s standing in the game.

Buchanan talks like Mortimer and has, according to those who have conversed with him, similar philosophies.

The difference, of course, is that Buchanan is indeed a “cricket person”.

He’s got a tough job ahead of him. But if he can succeed, as many believe he will, this appointment may well be looked back on as one of the best - of many - made during the reign of Vaughan. (ANI)