Sail has different coaching goals in Auckland next year

One of the hottest seats in New Zealand cricket - coach of the Auckland team - will need a new occupier next summer.

Tony Sail, the former Central Districts coaching stalwart who was more or less shoe-horned into the job before and after David Trist held the post, said today he would be looking for different cricket work in Auckland next summer.

Sail wants a change for a variety of reasons. He has been disappointed at the variable form of the Auckland side this summer, not helped by losing six players to the national side in Australia.

"Also, the amount of travelling is getting me down," said Sail. "I have three young children and am having to spend too much time away from them."

But Sail really wants to get back to the job he came to Auckland to fulfil - the development of the young and elite players.

"Next season that is my aim, looking after the talented youngsters in Auckland - something that has been let slip a little in recent years. Sail became acutely aware of the lack of second-tier talent when the call of national selectors and the loss of injured players had him looking for replacements.

"I found that there was no-one in the Under-19 side that I could honestly see as good enough to promote to the A side," said Sail. "There should be two or three young and talented players who are worth a trial in the top team.

"At the moment they do not seem to be there. Also, Auckland are not doing very well in the national under-age tournaments, and that should be a worry."

Sail said the whole Auckland coaching and talent-spotting system needed review.

"We are always going to lose some players to other areas, such as Kerry Walmsley and Craig Pryor to Otago, because they may be sure of getting a game there," said Sail.

"What we have to do in Auckland now is to concentrate on the young players, the teenagers and make sure they are developed as our elite players of the future."