Strang continues as Auckland coach

Auckland have appointed former Zimbabwe spinner Paul Strang as their head coach for the next two years.

Strang, 38, had taken over as head coach in February for the 2008-09 season when Mark O'Donnell was appointed assistant coach of the national side for the India series. Auckland Cricket had decided to review the position of long-term coach at the end of the season and Strang has clearly impressed. Under his tenure as coach Auckland clinched their fourth State Championship in eight years.

"Paul has a great deal of cricket experience and he enjoyed immediate success as a coach last season as Auckland stormed home to win the State Championship," said Auckland Cricket chief executive Andrew Eade.

Strang has been part of the coaching staff at Auckland for just over a year and also worked with their A team. Former New Zealand opener Matt Horne has taken over Strang's full-time role as high performance coach for Auckland Cricket.

The change of coaching staff ends O'Donnell's seven-year tenure as Auckland coach. "The team has enjoyed considerable success under his leadership but his fixed term contract ended in June and in the view of the association it was time for a change," said Eade.