Alan Hunt to coach Central Districts

Alan Hunt has been named as the coach of Central Districts for the next two years. He replaces England allrounder Dermot Reeve who resigned as coach in April.

Hunt averaged 24.45 with the bat, with one century, and 43.78 with the ball over 13 seasons for Auckland, and retired in 1992-93.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to coach the Central Stags and give my assistance to cricket in the Central Districts Association," Hunt said. "The Stags are already a very good team. I am confident that with the management team now in place, and the planning skills and experience we offer, we can take them to a different level again."

New Zealand Cricket's general manager Geoff Allott welcomed the appointment. "Alan is held in high regard at all levels of the game and I know that he will add real value to the Stags over the next two seasons," he said.

Reeve led Central Districts to the Plunket Shield four-day final in 2008-09 and won the Twenty20 competition last year, but his tenure was dogged by controversy. There were reports of disharmony between Reeve and the players, and New Zealand Cricket censured and fined him for accusing Auckland's Ravi Bopara of ball-tampering after a one-day game in December.