This numbers game is all very confusing

OPINION: What's going on? Have Brad and Angelina split? Have Dermot and Big Jake made up? Is Chris Cairns really taking Mighty Modi through the courts? Is one test against Bangladesh an example of the ICC's Future Tours Programme in action?

That's a lot to baffle a man.

Bob Dylan once warbled: "There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief."

I rate Bob. He knows his number ones from his number twos.

New Zealand Cricket seems more confused. Odd, considering their No1, Justin Vaughan, is a doctor.

First came an announcement that Brendon McCullum was no longer vice-captain. Fair enough. And now a further announcement that Ross Taylor is also not vice-captain. Equally fair.

So there's no No2. But Ross is stand-in captain, a No1-in-waiting. This in no way means McCullum is No3. Or 2. And definitely not 1. But could be in the future.

Glad I've cleared that up.

One thing that is apparent – Daniel Vettori is very much No1.

John Wright may have harboured the illusion he was heir to the coaching position. We all thought that, at some point, Wright would be given the opportunity.

He's been patiently biding his time at the High-Performance Centre. This opportunity is taking a long time. He must be confused.

It seems a new model has emerged post-Moles, where Vettori and the coach manage the business together, rather than the coach being at the top of the tree.

Captains play an increasingly important role in selecting the coach now. Kevin Pietersen brought about the removal of England coach Peter Moores – he accidentally removed himself in the process too.

More recently, Mickey Arthur has fallen foul of Graeme Smith and found the position intolerable. Is this sensible before South Africa confront the No1 test side in the world? Mind you, the ICC ratified their test showpiece with an enthralling two-test series!

And now Mark Greatbatch has been appointed coach of NZ. It just seems a half-hearted appointment. Not because of the man, but because of the noises coming from NZC.

The appointment stresses he gets on with Vettori. Excellent; but Vettori has announced he'll step down from the captaincy after the 2011 World Cup. What happens then if the former stand-ins, ones, twos, and the odd three don't get along with Greatbatch? Will another model emerge? Does all this have ramifications for the method of preparing coaches?

The pinnacle of Greatbatch's coaching to date was a three-year contract at Warwickshire. This was mutually reduced to two when the club plunged to a low ebb. I live close to Edgbaston and the players I have spoken to wince at the memory.

Part of the problem was previous coach John Inverarity. He was a hard act to follow; quiet, well-respected, an unassuming influence. No one wanted him to leave. Ironically the enormously popular local lad, Andy Moles, was himself available. Some may have figured his job was pinched. Greatbatch had a lot to do before he started.

Yet instead of adapting to accommodate the county system and the Warwickshire ethos, Greatbatch began the new era by stamping his authority. He imposed himself aggressively. An uncompromising, "I'm the boss" and "we'll do it my way". It led to discontent. Morale plummeted. Barriers went up and players turned against him. Two departed and other senior members rebelled.

Coaching wasn't so much the issue but mutual respect was. Warwickshire were top in May, but didn't win a game thereafter. They were relegated.

Those who know county cricket realise not all this was Greatbatch's fault. Players cocoon themselves in habit and comfort and don't hold themselves accountable. He may be a better coach for this experience.

But these tales are at odds with the character NZC led us to believe will work alongside Vettori. And at odds with the genial enthusiast I watched on the field.

Warwickshire's Greatbatch sounds gruff and volatile. I wish him well, but it's all rather baffling.

- © Fairfax NZ News