Vaughan in line for Tigers job

A HIGHLY regarded former South Australian assistant coach is firmly in the mix to join new Tasmanian coach Adam Griffith as understudy.

The Mercury understands Jeff Vaughan, who played 28 first-class matches and 24 oneday games with the Redbacks between 1996-97 and 2002-03, is among the remaining candidates for the Tigers assistant position.

Cricket Tasmania chief Nick Cummins said on Tuesday a contract offer had been presented to the organisation’s preferred option.

Vaughan spent six years with the South Australia Cricket Association as batting coach before leaving midway through 2015 to pursue opportunities outside of cricket.

The 43-year-old was highly respected by Redbacks players, and took the reins as interim coach after the fourth edition of the Big Bash when former SA coach Darren Berry took personal leave for a four-week period.

Vaughan has been credited with fast-tracking the development of the likes of Travis Head and Kelvin Smith.

“We are at contract stage and the only reason we haven’t had him signed is because I’ve been interstate,” Cummins said on Tuesday when he joined new Hobart Hurricanes coach Gary Kirsten. “We have the candidate, hopefully he will sign this week.”

Cummins also said CT has told all current state players where they stand regarding contracts heading into the 2017-18 season.

Current deals expire at the end of this month, with Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association no closer to signing a new Memorandum of Understanding.

“All the players know where they stand, so if they are likely to be contracted or our intention is to contract them, they know we have that intention,” Cummins said.