He was chosen after a prolonged selection process.

 

Currie will succeed Lindsay Crocker, manager for the past five years, who leaves the post after tomorrow's Twenty20 international against Australia.

 

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Justin Vaughan confirmed the appointment for a three-year period today.

 

He said: "Dave has a great track record of success and will bring proven leadership and an ability to create an environment where high-performing teams and athletes can thrive."

 

Currie was head of the Halberg Trust from 1988-2005, and was New Zealand Chef de Mission at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games and 2004 and 2008 Olympics.

 

He will continue as Chef de Mission at next year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, and the London Olympics in 2012.

 

Vaughan said Currie would be released from his role to attend the Commonwealth Games, and a temporary manager would be appointed for the tour to Bangladesh which clashes with those Games.

 

Currie said: "Both roles are about managing and inspiring teams to excel."

 

It had been reported that former Rowing New Zealand (RNZ) chief executive Craig Ross had been appointed to the manager's role, had met the team in Dunedin, and that Crocker had already been farewelled by players and management at a farewell function.

 

But Ross never took up the role after it emerged he been court last year after allegedly incorrectly using RNZ funding.

 

He was initially convicted on nine fraud charges.

 

The conviction was overturned on appeal, but he was ordered to pay costs of NZ$15,000 (£5,458)

 

At the time Vaughan denied Ross had been appointed, and today he said Ross remained a candidate for the position when the final decision was made.

 

Vaughan said: "Those instances prior to Christmas were unfortunate, they were played out through the media, and misunderstandings occurred.

 

"Since that time, in terms of the process we've run, I'm comfortable."