Moles wants to take over as coach of New Zealand

Published on Wednesday 27 August 2008 22:44

FORMER Scotland and Kenya coach Andy Moles has revealed he has applied for the soon-to-be vacant New Zealand coaching job.

Moles led the Northern Knights to the 2007 State Championship in his first year and also recently coached a New Zealand XI to the Emerging Players' tournament title in Brisbane.

Current Black Caps coach John Bracewell will step down next April to take up a job as director of cricket with Gloucestershire.

Moles is keen to be included in New Zealand Cricket's deliberations over who will replace Bracewell.

"I have applied for the position and we'll just see what happens," said the former Warwickshire batsman.

"It'd be a huge honour if I get the opportunity. I have an extensive CV and have coached all around the world. I would really enjoy the challenge and I think I have the skills to move the team forward."

Moles was Scotland's first full-time coach and led the Scots to ICC Trophy glory in July 2005 – a result which sealed qualification for the 2007 World Cup.

However, he quit the post in January 2006 following an apparent revolt by senior players who were thought to be unhappy with the coaching situation.

Meanwhile, Scotland's rain-wrecked cricket season looks set to spill into September to establish the make-up of next year's leagues. This weekend's SNCL play-offs are already under threat from the wet weather.

Premier division Poloc are due to face West of Scotland at Stirling to establish which club will play in next season's top flight. Dunfermline and West Lothian meet at Arbroath for the right to play in the first division.

The two matches have a reserve date on 6 September while attempts will be made to play the feeder league play-off between Kelburne and Edinburgh Accies this Sunday if it fails to go ahead at Stirling on Saturday.

&#149 Scotland's hopes of European A Championship glory were hanging by a thread last night after Andy Tennant's shadow squad slumped to a shock defeat against the Netherlands in Rotterdam.

Chasing a modest victory target of 189, a disastrous batting performance saw them fall 11 runs short.

The Scots must record a big win against tournament favourites Ireland today to have any chance of taking the title on run-rate.