Damien Wright to be New Zealand's bowling coach

The Australian fast bowler Damien Wright is expected to become New Zealand's new bowling coach. Wright, 35, will be one of the final pieces of New Zealand's management jigsaw when he is confirmed as the replacement for Allan Donald, who was set to continue in the job until he was offered a position working with Gary Kirsten on South Africa's coaching staff.

Wright retired from Australian first-class cricket at the end of last summer and was to continue as bowling coach with Victoria, a job he had begun while still playing last year. He continued to play county cricket for Worcestershire this year but will have to step down from his playing commitments to take on his new job, which has not yet been officially announced by New Zealand Cricket.

However, Wright told the Dominion Post he was "thrilled to bits" at being offered the role, and on Wednesday he tweeted: "I've had a wonderful time with the Vics & look forward now to working with NZ Cricket."

The ultimate cricket journeyman, Wright was born in New South Wales and made his name at Tasmania, where he played for a decade and was part of the history-making side that won the state's first Pura Cup title in 2006-07. After that season, he moved to Victoria and won a further two first-class titles with the Bushrangers.

Wright also had stints with five counties, played for Scotland in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy, and turned out for Wellington in the HRV Cup last summer. Injuries often kept him off the field, but Wright was good enough to play nine matches for Australia A, and he will leave the game with 406 first-class wickets at 28.62.