Black Caps players want Andy Moles gone

BY JONATHAN MILLMOW

The New Zealand cricket team want their coach, Andy Moles, sacked.

In a bombshell last night, The Dominion Post was told that senior players do not think the 48-year-old Englishman is up to scratch as an international coach and they want him removed sooner rather than later.

The players' concerns were brought to New Zealand Cricket's attention when the Black Caps returned from the Champions Trophy in South Africa, ironically a competition in which they exceeded all expectations by reaching the final.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan would neither confirm nor deny he had a crisis on his hands less than a week before New Zealand head to Dubai to play a one-day series against Pakistan.

"I never comment on individual employment issues of any member of staff," Vaughan said.

"Andy is still the coach and he is preparing the team for Dubai."

It is understood mediation is to take place, but Vaughan would neither confirm nor deny that.

"Once again, I never comment on individual employment issues."

Vaughan was then asked whether senior players had come to him with concerns.

"The team has been away for nine weeks [Sri Lanka, then South Africa] and we are performing a complete review of the team, both individually and collectively, and we are looking at ways to improve with such a big summer ahead."

The senior players' have a concerning list of problems.

They claim that skipper Daniel Vettori has effectively been coaching the team for the past six months.

They also claim that Moles has not provided them with an acceptable level of tactical or technical support, either first-hand or by bringing in respected specialist coaches.

Moles did not return calls last night to respond to those claims.

If mediation fails, New Zealand will again find themselves on a frantic search for a coach, with John Wright a likely candidate in a caretaker role at least.

If Wright is not a long-term candidate then the man who fell through their fingers at the last minute last time – New South Wales coach Matthew Mott – will be a frontrunner.

Moles was a surprise choice to replace John Bracewell last November after a worldwide search for more high-profile candidates proved fruitless.

He was given a contract through to the 2011 World Cup and has made an impression as an easy-going individual, but results have been moderate.

He is winless in tests – seven played, four drawn and three lost – and he is about 50-50 in one-day internationals.

In 19 completed ODIs under Moles, New Zealand have won nine and lost 10, the highlight being the final appearance at the Champions Trophy and a bold showing (a 2-2 draw) in the Chappell-Hadlee series against Australia.

The latest drama continues an unhappy move into international coaching for the former English county batsman.

He began with Kenya in 2003 but the internal shambles and mismanagement within the board took its toll and he quit.

In 2005 he took over as Scotland coach but after guiding them to the ICC Trophy, he fell out with some leading players and the board appeared to back them rather than him.

Vettori did not return a call last night, and neither did the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association boss, Heath Mills.

- © Fairfax NZ News