Otago coach Mike Hesson has not officially called stumps, but he has already started the search for his replacement.
While Hesson has not "put anything in writing", he plans to step down at the end of the summer after what will have been a six-year reign.
His impact on Otago, particularly in limited-overs cricket, has been immense, helping turn the Volts from an underachiever to a formidable unit. So, who better to help find a replacement?
The first stage of the succession plan is to employ an assistant coach for this season, with a view to that person continuing in the head coach's role the following summer.
"Firstly, it will add to our coaching staff this year," Hesson said.
"And secondly, we want to make sure they are a strong candidate to apply for the position [in 2011-12].
"It is not a novice position. We want someone who is going to add real value. If we were a closed shop we would have just shoulder-tapped. But we want to see who is out there and who is keen."
Applications for the role close on July 23, but Hesson said the association had already received more than 10 curricula vitae. About half of those were from overseas candidates.
While he was tight-lipped on who had applied, he confirmed applications had been received from Australia, South Africa and England.
"There has been a number of high-quality applicants. I've been the only one who has assessed them at this stage. But once we get that interview panel together, we'll be able to throw some names around."
Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes is away on leave and could not be reached for comment yesterday.
However, Hesson expects an interview panel of himself, Dykes and possibly Otago cricket manager Mark Bracewell and a board member will convene, make a shortlist and conduct interviews with the goal of appointing a person by early August.
Former Otago and Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson told the Otago Daily Times he was not planning to apply.
Johnson has recently moved "home" to Dunedin after a stint in Wellington and was rumoured to have been interested.
"I'm still working for New Zealand Cricket at the moment as a pace bowling coach. So, no, I won't be going down that track."
Dipak Patel, who missed out on the Central Districts coaching position to Alan Hunt, was unaware the position had been advertised when contacted for comment yesterday. However, he said he was unlikely to apply and was looking for coaching opportunities overseas.
The job description stipulates the successful applicant will have coached at an elite level in the past 12 months, either provincially or internationally, and will have the equivalent of a New Zealand Cricket level 2 qualification or better. That will rule out most local prospects.
Otago Sparks coach Nathan King is a level 3 qualified coach but said he was not applying for the position.
