Cricket: Moles walks to end tough innings

Andy Moles, who resigned as the head coach of the Black Caps yesterday, held the post for just 334 days. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Departed coach Andy Moles yesterday conceded his position had been made "untenable" when he learned he had lost the confidence of the players.

Just 334 days into his reign as Black Caps coach, Englishman Moles resigned after a meeting with Justin Vaughan at which the New Zealand Cricket chief executive told him he had lost the dressing room.

Moles, 48, who fronted the media via a conference call yesterday, said he had been blindsided by the revelation.

"That's the most disappointing thing," Moles said. "We've been going 11 months but I had no inkling, no communication to say there was a problem until we got back from South Africa [this month].

"It is unfortunate that it [coaching deficiency] wasn't raised before and that will be looked at, I'm sure, by New Zealand Cricket going forward. If I had got some feedback earlier, we may have been able to quell this problem ... Obviously we'll never know because the feedback wasn't forthcoming."

Moles also hit back at those who questioned his technical and tactical nous, saying he believed the problem was one of "chemistry" between himself and some players. "I'll take it on the chin and admit I haven't got that right."

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori will lead the side in the series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates with the existing support staff, including Moles' assistant Mark O'Donnell, but without the services of a head coach.

Instead it seems likely a selector will take the seat vacated by Moles, giving Vettori another sounding board during the five-match series against Pakistan.

Vaughan confirmed it would not be John Wright, leaving just Glenn Turner or Mark Greatbatch as options.

Vettori said it was "irrelevant" whether he was comfortable with the increased burden.

"I don't have a choice," he said. "How I deal with it is what is important."

Vettori said it was important NZC went through a "thorough process" to replace Moles, but in the meantime they had the opportunity to utilise some of the resources in this country.

"I look at John Wright," Vettori said. "There's no reason we can't utilise his skills. Not necessarily in a head coaching role, but it would almost be remiss of us not to tap into his knowledge."

Wright could prove a serious conundrum. Already employed by NZC as high-performance manager, it is thought the former India coach would now welcome a chance to coach the national side after taking time off the international treadmill.

He would be a popular choice with the public. One of New Zealand cricket's sacred cows, Wright has been immune to criticism in his high-performance role but it is fair to say he is not as universally admired by the current crop of players as he is by the public.

All of which will be of only passing interest to Moles, who conceded his short tenure with New Zealand will "have done me no favours" in the search for another international post. Instead he will pack up his gear and move back to Cape Town, where a partner and two sons who are missing him await.

He spent 12 hours locked in mediation with New Zealand Cricket on Friday, before confirming his resignation early yesterday morning. A difficult phone-call from Vettori followed, during which Moles outlined his disappointment in the way he believed his demise had been orchestrated. By the time the phone call ended, however, the two men's admiration for each other remained intact.

Vaughan and players' association manager Heath Mills were both adamant that Moles' departure had nothing to do with player power. Concerns were raised during a "thorough review" into how the national side could be improved, rather than a delegation of players petitioning NZC for a change in coach.

"I'm completely comfortable in the way the players have managed themselves over this," Mills said.

"[During the review process] the players articulated that they need more out of the head coach. Andy either had to deliver more or someone else had to come in.

"Unfortunately it became public that questions were being asked of the coach and in that regard I really feel for Andy. The players hold him in high regard as a person."

Moles might take comfort in the fact he now shares something in common with Sir Donald Bradman, with his tally of days in the employ of NZC mirroring The Don's highest test score.

THREE TO WATCH

John Wright - Would be an extremely popular public choice but would be far less well-received by the players unless he improved organisational skills.

Matthew Mott - Young, talented and receiving rave reviews, but rightly or wrongly is seen as Brendon McCullum's man.

Steve Rixon - Did a terrific job last time, but when has re-winding the clock ever been successful?