Vettori looking forward to Moles era

Daniel Vettori hopes coach Andy Moles can improve New Zealand's batting form

Buy this photo

New Zealand's inexperienced batting line-up are looking forward to the arrival of new coach Andy Moles, according to captain Daniel Vettori.

Moles will take over from incumbent John Bracewell following the conclusion of the second Test against Australia, which starts tomorrow, and will have just a few days to stamp his mark on the group before the series against West Indies begins with the opening Test in Dunedin on December 11.

Moles, 47, fashioned an impressive average of 38.59 in 12 seasons as an opener for English county side Warwickshire and Vettori said New Zealand's batsmen were eagerly anticipating the Northern District coach's arrival.

"I know from the short period of time I worked with him, just some of the stuff that we did I have tried to take forward into my own batting," Vettori said.

"Jamie How and Ross Taylor worked with him briefly in the 'A' game against England last year and they were pretty pleased with the concepts and things that he came up with. There are a group of batsmen who are pretty excited by him coming on board."

Vettori backed Moles, who guided Vettori's Northern Districts to the State Championship title in his first season, 2006/07, to hit the ground running once he took up the reins next week.

"He is going to have to familiarise himself with a lot of people, not only the New Zealand public, but within the team and within some of the support staff," added Vettori.

"It's going to be a challenging time but I know from the periods of time I have worked with him that is something that he's definitely up to."

Vettori also expects the players to take it all in their stride despite the short turnaround.

"It happens whenever there's a change in coach, you have to move pretty quickly. I remember when Braces came on board, there wasn't much of a turn around between when Denis Aberhart left and Braces came on board," said Vettori.

"Guys chop and change coaches a lot within the domestic stuff, and IPL (Indian Premier League) and county cricket so they should be used to it and hopefully Andy makes an instant impression as soon as he comes into the group."

Vettori expects to shoulder extra responsibility during the transition period but is unfazed by it.

"It's probably my responsibility to take on a greater work load just while Andy is settling in and getting through those initial stages," he said.

"He has coached international sides before also, so I don't think it will be daunting for him but I think he will lean towards me a lot because we know each other pretty well.

"I don't see myself taking on more of a role at training or anything like that. It's just making sure the transition period is as smooth as possible. Making it as smooth as possible is by performing on the park so we can't let this short turn around be an excuse for a performance."

Englishman Moles has previously coached Kenya and Scotland and finishes with Northern Districts at the conclusion of their match against Central Districts today.

New Zealand's series against West Indies begins next month with two Tests followed by two Twenty20 internationals and five one-day internationals.