Philosophical differences behind Wright stepping down as New Zealand coach

Wellington, May 2 (ANI): New Zealand cricket coach John Wright has cited philosophical differences with Australian John Buchanan as a factor in his decision to step down from his job when his contract expires.

Wright, who took over in December 2010, has turned down a contract extension through to the 2015 World Cup, and will leave after the tour of the West Indies in July-August.

He admitted he has not seen eye to eye with Buchanan over planning that the former Australian team mentor wants to introduce in his role as New Zealand director of cricket.

"I appreciate the offer to extend my contract but, after much consideration, I feel it's the right time to move on and look at other opportunities," Wright said.

"Also, I think during the review process with the current cricket director, we both agreed that the planning systems he wanted to implement probably don't complement the style and the way I coach," he added.

Buchanan was appointed in April 2011 to his present role of running New Zealand Cricket's high-performance program through to the World Cup to be staged in Australia and New Zealand, The Age reports.

Asked what the specific points of conflict were, Wright said it was "just a difference of style".

"We see things a little differently, and I suppose, it would be fair to say we were probably more comfortable coaching against each other, which we did for four-and-a-half-years," he said. (ANI)