Auckland have appointed South African-based New Zealander Mark O'Donnell as their coach to replace Tony Sail next summer.

Auckland Cricket's chief executive Lindsay Crocker announced O'Donnell's appointment today. O'Donnell, 39, will take up his position next month.

O'Donnell has spent 14 years coaching in South Africa with Eastern Province, Griqualand West, Gauteng and the South African National Academy.

His latest stint has been with Gauteng where he has been the team coach since 1995. They won the domestic one-day competition in 1997/98 and the four-day competition in 1999/00.

Auckland will be defending the State Championship for first-class cricket in New Zealand in the new summer.

His appointment was made after interviews and discussions held by a selection panel of: ACA chairman Rex Smith, Crocker, and ACA directors John Graham and Justin Vaughan.

Eighteen applicants were received for the position.

"Mark impressed the selection panel with his no nonsense attitude, strong work ethic and considerable experience at the first-class level," Crocker said.

© CricInfo