Cricket: Moles, Vettori take on formal selection roles

New Zealand cricket coach Andy Moles and captain Daniel Vettori have joined a revamped national selection panel.

They join Glenn Turner and Mark Greatbatch as national selectors, while John Wright will act as an adviser to the panel.

Former selector Dion Nash has stepped down to focus on business and family commitments.

Announcing the new panel today, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Justin Vaughan said the structure reflected the need for an integrated approach to selection.

"The make-up of this selection panel - with the inclusion of both the coach and captain - is innovative but consistent with the way we have been operating," Vaughan said.

"Both captain and coach currently form our `on-tour' selection panel, who select teams when the national team are playing."

Vaughan said that because Moles and Vettori were directly accountable it was considered important for them to have formal input into the selection process.

He said the inclusion of the captain on the selection panel was believed to be unique in world cricket currently, but it reflected the vital role played by Vettori.

"Daniel is a strong and very able leader. He has vast international experience, and is absolutely committed to driving the New Zealand team to improved performance.

"In many other countries the captain has a large say in team selection decisions, but we are willing to go the extra step and formally include Daniel on the panel.

Vettori's role as a national selector was dependent on him maintaining his position as team captain.

Vaughan said the inclusion of Moles was also very positive,

"As coach, Andy needs to have a say in team selection. He will also have a role in liaising with our first-class coaches and assessing their views on the leading players in our domestic competitions."

Former international Greatbatch, who has been a non-voting advisor on the panel since last year, now assumes a full selection role.

Turner, who has been a selector since 2005, continues as the panel co-ordinator, while Wright, appointed to the panel in 2008, will act in a non-voting advisory role.

Vaughan said that would enable Wright him to focus on youth development and his high performance coaching role with NZC.

- NZPA