Aberhart leaves the national side in a healthy state

Aberhart leaves the post with the Kiwis ranked third in the ICC Test Championship behind Australia and South Africa.

He now plans to take a job outside cricket.

"I was not guaranteed a further term with New Zealand Cricket and another exciting opportunity presented itself and is likely to be confirmed later in the week," Aberhart said.

The high points of his period in charge include a first-ever series win in the West Indies, home Test and one-day victories over India and a drawn series in Australia in 2001-02.

Former captain John Wright would be an obvious choice to succeed Aberhart, but he was recently given a one-year extension to his contract as coach of India.

Another strong candidadte would be former off-spinner John Bracewell, who has enjoyed success with English county side Gloucestershire, especially in one-day cricket.

Bracewell rejects Sri Lanka job

Bracewell was linked with the job of Sri Lankan coach earlier this year but said he felt obligated to remain with Gloucestershire until at least the end of the summer.

He has made it clear in the past, however, that he would like a chance to test himself in international cricket.