New Zealand Cricket has appointed Northern Knights coach Andy Moles as the new BLACKCAPS coach.
English-born Moles will take up the role next week, in time for the West Indies series, which begins with the test in Dunedin starting on 11 December.
Announcing the appointment today NZC CEO Justin Vaughan said he was delighted to be able to appoint a coach of Moles’ calibre, after an extensive international search.
“Andy has an outstanding coaching background,” Vaughan said. “He has made a real impact at Northern Districts over the past two seasons and also brings more than 15 years experience coaching at international level.
“He also brings leadership, passion, commitment and a drive to get the best out of his teams – attributes we believe are essential for this role.
“Andy will be well placed to develop this BLACKCAPS side which has tremendous potential and is still growing in experience.”
Vaughan said that NZC was committed to putting world-class structures and the very best people in and around the BLACKCAPS. “With this in mind, John Wright, who was on the selection panel, will become a national selector and will closely with Andy.”
Vaughan said current BLACKCAPS coach John Bracewell would step down at the end of the current Australian tour.
“John and I have been in regular contact over transition arrangements. With the new coach available to start immediately, we have mutually agreed that John would step down after the Australian series, allowing Andy to take up the role during a home season rather than on the road.”
Vaughan paid tribute to Bracewell’s record as BLACKCAPS coach over the past five years. “John has achieved tremendous success with the New Zealand side, including test series wins against South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies, and one-day series victories over England, Australia, the West Indies, India, South Africa and Pakistan, among others.
“He also coached the BLACKCAPS to semi-final spots in the 2006 Champions Trophy, 2007 World Cup and the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup. He can be proud of record.”
Vaughan said Bracewell was looking forward to some time off before taking up his coaching post at Gloucestershire in the Northern summer.
Although NZC had earlier indicated that it would wait until after the Australian tour, Vaughan said events had moved quickly in the past few days and it was decided to make a full announcement of the appointment and timing.
