SPORTS

WELLINGTON: New Zealand's cricket team wants coach Andy Moles sacked, and claim captain Daniel Vettori has effectively been filling the role for the last six months, a report said Thursday.

An unnamed source said senior players claimed Moles had not provided them with adequate tactical or technical support, a report by Dominion Post cricket writer and former New Zealand fast bowler Jonathan Millmow said.

New Zealand Cricket responded to the report by confirming Moles' position as coach.

Moles would continue to prepare the team for a series of one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates starting early next month, chief executive Justin Vaughan said.

He said New Zealand Cricket was reviewing the team?s performance following a recent tour to Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy tournament in South Africa, in which New Zealand lost to Australia in the final.

"This looks at all aspects of individual and collective performance with a view to continuous improvement," Vaughan said in a statement.

The 48-year-old former English county batsman took over as New Zealand coach last year from John Bracewell, after stints with Kenya, Scotland and New Zealand first class side Northern Districts.

New Zealand's record has been patchy since Moles took over the reins. Four tests have been drawn and three lost, and in one-day internationals New Zealand has won nine and lost 10.