NZ Cricket has rejected claims Blackcaps coach Gary Stead wants to relieve Kane Williamson of the test captaincy.
But Newshub has learned that while no official talks over the matter have been held, the pair have underlying issues that one former player believes must be resolved.
Stead is reportedly seeking to have Tom Latham take charge of the side, as he did in Williamson's absence for the third test against Australia in Sydney earlier this year.
NZ Cricket rejects those claims, saying "there's absolutely no truth to any suggestion Kane's captaincy is under threat".
Neither Stead or Williamson responded to requests for comment.
Williamson carries a heavy workload as skipper of all three international formats, but that should be his load alone to manage, according to former Blackcaps bowler Simon Doull.
"I think the only person that should make that decision is Kane himself," Doull has told Newshub.
"If he was worried about his workload, then I think that's a decision he could come to himself."
Williamson's record as test skipper is outstanding. In 32 games, he's claimed 18 wins to help lift New Zealand to second in the ICC rankings and his individual performance with the bat has only improved since taking on the captaincy in 2016.
Williamson is understood to enjoy leading the Blackcaps and wishes to continue in all three formats, but there are off-field aspects of the job he doesn't enjoy and could do without.
Sources indicate Williamson's relationship with Stead is fine. In fact, they quite like each other, but the pair are described as "philosophically different", which has led to lengthy and robust discussions over team matters, including selection.
"They just have to find a common ground and, at the end of the day, the captain should walk out onto the field of play with the team he wants," Doull adds.
Speculation of a captaincy coup has inevitably evoked memories of Ross Taylor's removal from the captaincy in 2012, replaced by Brendon McCullum.
NZ Cricket will be at pains to avoid a repeat, especially with a player already considered by some as our greatest ever.
Watch the full story above
