New Zealand cricket coach Andy Moles is wasting no time to stamp his mark on the national team.
Moles took up the role this week and today announced an end to the huge support casts surrounding the team so favoured by his predecessor John Bracewell.
Bracewell's last test
in charge ended against Australia in Adelaide on Monday when there were at least eight management personnel attached to the side.
As well as team manager Lindsay Crocker, Bracewell had at hand a bowling coach in Dayle Hadlee, a batting coach in Mark O'Neill and a fielding coach in Travis Wilson.
But the New Zealanders' team room for the first test against the West Indies in Dunedin next week will be relatively empty after Moles signalled a change of direction.
Moles said that after reviewing the support arrangements, and discussions with captain Daniel Vettori, he was reduce the core support team around the players.
The new support team structure includes the use of a pool of specialist coaches in the lead up to games, but a smaller team directly around the side during match days.
"My priority in shaping the support team is to provide the best possible environment for the players to focus on their own performance," Moles said.
"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, 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."
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said it was always expected that an incoming coach would bring a new approach and a change in personnel in the support area.
"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.
"A sharper focus on player accountability and performance is a positive step."
- NZPA
