New Zealand appoint Australian Wright as new bowling coach

New Zealand yesterday appointed Australian Damien Wright as their new bowling coach on a two-year deal.

The 35-year-old Victorian, who replaces former South African paceman Allan Donald, claimed 406 first-class wickets in 123 matches before retiring this year. He will begin his new role on 5 September.

The experienced Donald left the New Zealand post to take up a position as assistant to South Africa coach Gary Kirsten.

"Damien comes highly regarded by his peers and coaches in Australia. He is a coach on the rise and we are very lucky to secure his services," New Zealand coach John Wright said.

"As a player he made the most of his ability and got everything out of himself and they are qualities he will bring to his coaching. He will offer a lot to the team in terms of energy and enthusiasm and will relate particularly well to the young fast bowlers."

Tim Southee, Hamish Bennett and Adam Milne are just three of the highly promising New Zealand pacemen who will be looking to benefit from his appointment.

Meanwhile, India's Deccan Chronicle Holdings has re-started efforts to sell its Indian Premier League franchise, the Deccan Chargers, and is in talks with Perth businessman Vikas Rambal and India's Adani Group, according to sources close to the discussions.

Deccan Chronicle are looking for about $200m (£122.6m), said the sources, who did not want to be identified, as talks were still ongoing. That is nearly double what it paid for securing the Hyderabad-based franchise in 2008.

One of the sources said that talks were also ongoing with Malaysian state oil firm Petronas.

Rambal, the chairman of Perdaman Industries, is a sponsor for Champions League Twenty20 side WACA Warriors in Australia. A spokeswoman for Perdaman Industries declined to comment on the talks to buy the Indian IPL team.

An Adani spokesman said the group would not comment on speculation, while Petronas was unavailable for comment.

Deccan Chronicle paid $107 million in 2008 for the Hyderabad-based franchise for 10 years. The team finished last in the inaugural IPL League, but came back strongly to win the next 2009 South African version.