South Australian wicket-keeper-batsman Shane Deitz has joined Cricket Wellington as a development coach.

The 33-year-old switched his focus to coaching after failing to win a contract with the Redbacks for the 2008/09 season.

Deitz, who is a qualified level three coach, found out he had missed out on a contract while playing alongside New Zealand's Grant Elliott in the Netherlands during the southern hemisphere winter.

"I had a poor last season and the older players (Darren) Lehmann, (Jason) Gillespie, (Matthew) Elliott all retired and because I'm roughly in the same age bracket I think they were looking for a fresh start," he told The Dominion Post.

"It was a shock, though. But I've had 10 years at first-class level and I'm more than happy with what I achieved. I'm pretty proud, but now I'm just looking to the next challenge, which is coaching."

Deitz has scored 3753 runs at 30.76 in 66 first-class matches. He is likely to play some club cricket but insisted turning out for the Wellington team hadn't entered into his thinking.

"I just want to put 100% into my coaching job. I can't wait to get my hands dirty."