@Ben: "Why is McCullum's average of 37 opening so very bad? It is better than Nathan Astle's average opening. Should he never have been selected?" His average isn't bad, the fact he hasn't scored a SINGLE score above 100 against ANY major ODI nation in his entire career is the issue. He's consistantly had starts, which isn't good enough for an opening batsmen. Comparing McCullum and Astle is like comparing my mother with Sachin Tendulkar.

In any sporting team the coach should ideally be as respected as the captain. When the players dont respect the coach it is hard to motivate yourself when his or her training methods are out dated.

Vettori is a world class player, and if reports are anything to read by, he does not respect Moles as a coach. He probably thinks that he is a good man, but when representing your country, what he thinks of him as a person is irrelevant.

Sure our top order has not been operating consistanlty, but when in the last 15 yeas has it. In my opinion the only batsman who looks to bat time and who holds his wicket with the highest regard is Vettori.

The coach has to go. Let Vettori run the show with a decent manager for the next tour and lets just hope that John Wright has a change of heart and takes on the role.

@Ben #21 - McCullum is quite overrated I feel. He only has ONE international ODI 100 (against Ireland) and 3 test hundreds - 1 each against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe and 1 against india (after Ryder's 200 and Taylors 150) When he first came on the scene I thought he was a poor man's Adam Gilchrist. In the 7 years I've seen him bat he's done nothing to change my mind.

P.S - He averages 33.2 opening the batting and Astle averages 34.89 opening the batting in 50 over games (Check Cricinfo) Plus Astle could bowl and dont forget Astle had 14 hundreds opening the batting.

Make Tony Sail the coach.

Another inspired piece of journalism, Jonathan. If yesterday wasn't enough in terms of ensuring if there wasn't any bad sentiment between coach/player, you've gone and done more today.

I do hope NZC removes your press pass whenever you go to grounds from now on, you're not worth the paper you write on.

In the defense of Moles, he can only work with what he is given. When he has limited say in selection and has players who believe they are bigger than the team, there isn't a lot he can do.

If he had come forth with hard line discipline, how would it be taken? In my view, if you can't get a Steve Waugh/Steve Rixon type, you shouldn't bother replacing moles.

Oh stuff it Steddy Eddy for coach with Billy Bowden as assistant. Maybe the dallas cowboy cheer leaders as management

Waltraud #17 You are incorrect with the Cairns statement. He wasnt able to bowl anymore on that tour and he offered to stay as a batsmen. But the "mastermind' that is Glen Turner decided Cairns wasnt good enought to stay on as a batsmen and would be of no use for the rest of the tour. Cairns then decided he had no part to play on the tour so went and played county cricket.

This is a double-edged sword. How can a group of underperforming players start blaming a coach for their poor performances? If Moles does go, I think NZC will also have to clean out some of the team, if for nothing other than to send a message that poor performance will not be overlooked in any situation.

I agree with JD - Stephen Donald sucks!!

Wait a minute - I don't think JD actually mentioned that anywhere in his comments here. Something must be wrong...

if aussie can swallow thier pride and hire Robbie Deans why doesnt NZ get in a quality Australian coach? the team made excellent progress under Rixon and I think the players need a world class coach who demands their respect and has knowledge and experience to offer. Someone ougtha challenge Ian Chappell to take the reins , he certainly has plenty say about our weakness when commentating the cricket during the Champions trophy...whats Buchanan up to these days??