KEY POINTS:
Former Warwickshire batsman Andy Moles was today appointed Cricket New Zealand's new coach for the Black Caps.
Moles will takeover from current coach John Bracewell next week and has been given the job until the 2011 World Cup.
His first task will be against the West Indies who
arrive in New Zealand next month.
Bracewell was originally going to stay in the job until April but will step down after the second test against Australia in Adelaide starting on Friday.
Englishman Moles, 47, has just started his third season as coach of New Zealand state side Northern Districts, taking them from bottom to top of the State Championship in his first season in charge.
He was forced to retire from playing in 1998 by an achilles tendon injury, but has since gained extensive coaching experience with Free State, Hong Kong, Kenya and Scotland.
The frontrunner to replace current coach John Bracewell, New South Wales coach Matthew Mott, withdrew over the weekend.
Announcing the appointment today New Zealand Cricket chief executive 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 Black Caps side which has tremendous potential and is still growing in experience."
Moles said he was thrilled to have the opportunity.
"I have no doubt that I am the right person for the job right now to move things forward with this team."
Vaughan also paid tribute to Bracewell, who has been in charge of the Black Caps for the last five years.
"John has achieved tremendous success with the New Zealand side, including test series wins against 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 Black Caps to semifinal spots in the 2006 Champions Trophy, 2007 World Cup and the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup. He can be proud of record."
Vaughan also announced that former test opener and India coach John Wright would become a national selector.
- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF