NZ selector details reasons for departure

Former New Zealand Cricket chief selector Bruce Edgar has opened up about his reasons behind quitting the post, saying he was offered a downgraded role and remuneration and had received "minimal" support from management.

Edgar's departure was announced last Wednesday after a two-year tenure that oversaw a successful period for the Black Caps in both Tests and one-day internationals.

He had also been responsible for helping select New Zealand under-19 and New Zealand A squads, as well as overseeing NZC's talent identification programme on a part-time basis.

Edgar's contract ended at the end of April, his last official duty the World Cup, when New Zealand reached the final for the first time.

The 58-year-old former Test opener and told New Zealand program Newstalk ZB he turned down a revised role that would reduce his three days-a-week job to just one-and-a-half days per week, with a corresponding drop in pay.

NZC said changes to the role were fuelled by a need to expand the National Talent Identification component of the job to full-time position, something NZC deemed a priority if recent successes on the international stage were to be sustained.

Edgar said he decided against accepting the revised terms because he felt he could not effectively do the job.

"I looked at it in terms of how effective I could be based on the amount of days allocated to the role and what that role within the job description was, and I just felt I couldn't be effective," Edgar said.

"The factors which have gone on before that in terms of just the operational side and the interactions, the support along the way has been pretty minimal.

"When you're passionate about the game, love the game, love the success, those other things don't contribute to you wanting to carry on. It's been a hard call but one I've felt I've had to make."

Popular with players and having formed a tight bond with national coach and co-selector Mike Hesson, Edgar said he sensed his relationship with NZC had broken down during the World Cup.

He was surprised to be given seats well away from the New Zealand team during their games, including a spot among the players' partners during the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

He said it was an "awkward situation to be in" sitting alongside the Australian partners and wives given he was the only New Zealand Cricket official seated in that section.

NZC general manager of cricket Lindsay Crocker didn't respond to a request for comment from AFP.

Crocker said in the statement announcing Edgar's departure that the 39-Test veteran had carried out his role with aplomb.

"Bruce felt he was unable to accept the revised role and terms and, while it's a decision we regret, it's also one we respect," he said.

"We're certainly disappointed to see him leave."

Crocker said the process to appoint a part-time Black Caps' selector and a full-time talent identification official was to begin shortly.