9:32 AM
Happy new year 2012
JONATHAN MILLMOW
Former Wellington cricket coach Vaughn Johnson is playing down the emotion of returning to the Basin Reserve next summer.
Johnson was appointed coach of Otago yesterday, a surprise only in the fact that he had not applied for the position.
Johnson was headhunted by Otago and now has to find someone to run his Dunedin coaching academy and give away his hobby as an unpaid harness racing stablehand.
"I didn't apply for the job, they came and talked to me and that got me thinking that maybe I can add something," Johnson said.
"But I wouldn't have taken it on unless I wanted to do it. I've had one gig in Otago before and one in Wellington so I know what I'm getting into."
Johnson had six seasons in Wellington, winning two championships, a one-day title and four Cricket Max titles.
However, he never got to leave on his terms and some resentment is still evident, no doubt fuelled by the lack of results Wellington achieved under his replacement, Anthony Stuart.
"I guess we'll come to Wellington a few times but I'll get on with it and stay away from the people I don't like," Johnson said.
"By the time I finished in Wellington, Wellington cricket was a small part of my life and you move on."
Johnson is 50 and seems prepared for the stress and long grind that come with being a provincial coach for a season that stretches close to five months.
"The Otago people are pretty passionate so I started to get a bit excited.
"I spent two to three days late last week making phonecalls to people I respect and then after another meeting with Otago I decided to give it a crack."
Johnson regards Otago as a "strong unit with depth in their quick and slow bowlers, and batsmen".
Otago's leading players are the McCullum brothers – Brendon and Nathan – and South African born left-armer Neil Wagner, who becomes available for New Zealand in April.
- The Dominion Post
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