Cricket: Dubai or dumped? Moles in firing line

Andy Moles. Photo / Paul Estcourt

You might not put your last dollar on it, but embattled New Zealand coach Andy Moles is expected to be on the plane with the national side to Dubai on Tuesday.

But equally, in what is shaping up as a fast-changing landscape, he could be out of a job by the end of today and a short-term replacement put in charge of the ODI-Twenty20 series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

A report in yesterday's Dominion Post newspaper claimed New Zealand players wanted the former Warwickshire batsman dumped after being in the job less than a year.

But there is more to the situation than simply perceived player unhappiness for Moles being on shaky ground.

No one is talking publicly but a picture emerged yesterday about Moles and the national team and his role within it.

NZ Cricket has been aware since the squad returned from the Twenty20 world champs in England in June that there was unease and frustration at Moles' demeanour with the squad, and input into strategy.

The national body sought feedback from a range of people, including management, support staff, players and others who have had contact with the squad, in verbal rather than written form.

People, other than players, had voiced concerns over the lack of decisive leadership from the coach.

Several close to, and inside, the squad spoken to by the Herald yesterday all insisted there was no personality clash between Moles and the players.

The crux of the matter seems to be worries that the national side are treading water rather than making quantifiable progress.

Moles is a popular, if undemanding figure. He is seen as an amiable man, the players like him, but want more from their coach in terms of input, direction and, if necessary, stick.

They want more help but feel there is not enough offered.

The only person who would comment publicly yesterday was captain Dan Vettori, who has been in regular contact with Moles since the squad returned this month from the Champions Trophy in South Africa, where they were beaten in the final by Australia.

"Andy and I are preparing to get on the plane for Dubai and have been preparing since we got back from the Champions Trophy," Vettori said.

NZC maintained yesterday that Moles would go to Dubai on Tuesday.

"We are undertaking a review of the team's performance," chief executive Justin Vaughan said.

"This looks at all aspects of individual and collective performance with a view to continuous improvement."

NZC would not comment on the question of any mediation between Moles and itself.

Another player said the key was to "find a way to drive the team forward and this is part of it".

A different source insisted that an image of players sitting around a table in a hotel room in Johannesburg plotting the downfall of a man a few doors along the corridor was well wide of the mark.

Problems between national coaches and the New Zealand team are not new.

Look no further than Moles' predecessor John Bracewell, who had an often fractious relationship with some of his players.

Moles took over before the West Indies series in New Zealand last December-January.

Within six months concerns were being quietly raised.

Under him, New Zealand have played seven tests, against the West Indies, India and Sri Lanka, losing three and drawing four.

The record for one-day internationals is eight wins and 10 losses from 22 games, the Champions Trophy being the highpoint, and seven Twenty20 matches have been won, four lost and one tied.

NZ Cricket announced at its annual meeting yesterday an operating surplus of $6.84 million after distributions.

The NZC annual report said revenue for the 2008-09 year was $55.99 million compared with $32.24 million for the previous year.

Aucklander Denis Currie was named NZC's new president, replacing Don Neely at the end of his three-year term.

The board has two new directors, broadcaster Bill Francis and former High Court judge Sir John Hansen.