New Zealand installed former Test captain John Wright as Black Caps head coach Monday, handing him the formidable task of lifting the team's woeful form ahead of next year's World Cup.

Outgoing coach Mark Greatbatch paid the price for the Black Caps' run of 11 successive one-day international defeats, with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) hoping Wright can emulate his success in charge of India from 2000-2005.