Graham Ford scotches New Zealand rumours

Graham Ford, Kent's director of cricket, has dismissed speculation linking him with the post of New Zealand coach. He had expressed interest while New Zealand toured England earlier this year but said there had been no contact since.

"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."

Ford, 47, stressed that he was enjoying his stint in Kent, the county he has been involved with since 2005. "I'm very happy with the set-up here at Kent. I'm working with a fantastic cricket management team and captain and those relationships have developed well and are going nicely," he said. "Certainly I have no firm feelings at this point of wanting to head off in any other direction."

Ford took over as South Africa's coach after the late Bob Woolmer stepped down in 1999 and was in charge till June 2002. He was offered the post of Sri Lanka coach (2003) and India coach (2007) but turned down both opportunities. The New Zealand coaching job is available as the incumbent, John Bracewell, will take over as Gloucestershire's head coach next year.