Moles steps down as Kiwi coach

Moles was standing down “in the best interests” of the organisation following a review of the recent tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy tournament in South Africa, a New Zealand Cricket release said.

Chief executive Justin Vaughan said no immediate replacement would be named for the upcoming series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, leaving captain Daniel Vettori in charge of a coachless side. Moles, a surprise choice to replace John Bracewell last November, was contracted through to the 2011 World Cup but lasted less than a year in the job.

His departure was seen as inevitable when he went into mediation talks on Friday after it became public that senior players had raised concerns about his abilities.
Moles, 48, said he held no grudge against the players but was aggrieved at the sudden revelation of their concerns.

“It is unfortunate that it (coaching deficiencies) wasn’t raised before and that will be looked at, I’m sure, by NZA going forward,” he said.

“If I had got some feedback earlier, we may have been able to quell this problem and been aware of it.” Under Moles’ tenure, New Zealand’s record has been patchy. Four Tests have been drawn and three lost, and in one-day internationals New Zealand have won nine and lost 10.