Moles trims down match-day support

The entry of Andy Moles as New Zealand coach will impact the team's current set-up. Moles, who replaces John Bracewell, is in favour of reducing the number of support staff around the squad on match days.

As with most international teams, Bracewell had a large backroom staff with him during games including Dayle Hadlee, the bowling coach, batting specialist Mark O'Neill and fielding coach Travis Wilson.

Moles' set-up, though, will be more streamlined, starting with the first Test against West Indies, with him helped by a team manager, physiotherapist, fitness trainer and video analyst. However, he will still make use of a pool of coaches from the high performance unit, including John Wright, the elite coaching manager, during the lead-up days to an international.

"My priority in shaping the support team is to provide the best possible environment for the players to focus on their own performance," Moles told NZPA. "We will use networks of specialist coaches to help prepare the team during the lead up to matches."

"For example, in the three days prior to the Dunedin Test [against West Indies], NZ Cricket elite coaching manager John Wright will be among those working with the team. On match days, however, the support team will consist of just myself along with the team manager, physiotherapist, fitness trainer and video analyst."

Justin Vaughan, the New Zealand Cricket chief executive, offered his full backing to Moles' new approach. "We are fully supportive of the changes Andy is proposing," he said. "We've been well served by our support staff in the past, but Andy has signalled he wants to bring a different style to this aspect of team management."