Vettori denies Moles mutiny

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori insists there has been no plotting behind closed doors but admits the question has been asked about whether coach Andy Moles is the right man for the job.

Moles, whose contract runs through to the 2011 World Cup, and New Zealand Cricket are in mediation following a standard post-tour review of the recent trip to Sri Lanka and South Africa, in which senior players raised some questions about Moles' abilities at international level.

"There is a pretty strong desire within the team to get better and become more consistent," said Vettori, who picked up three awards - including New Zealand cricketer of the year - at the annual awards ceremony on Thursday.

"I suppose all the revelations of the last couple of days have been about trying to make the side better.

"Not only has Andy's role been critiqued but certainly mine has and I know players have been dropped from the last tour and support staff have been questioned. It is part of an overall process but obviously the focus has been on Andy's situation."

Vettori added: "Andy is well liked within the team and he is a guy I consider a friend. I suppose what has been raised is whether Andy is the right guy to take the Black Caps to the top of the rankings.

"There is no plotting in the background.

"There are no get-togethers and saying 'how do we get rid of Andy?' It's 'how do we actually make ourselves a better side?'"

Vettori, who first worked alongside Moles at Northern Districts, stressed the pair had a good working relationship but was evasive when asked if he wanted the Englishman, who succeeded John Bracewell last November, to stay on.

"It's not just my recommendation. Andy and I have a strong working relationship and we get on fine but is that enough to take the team forward and make them better?

"I suppose that's what we're going to find out over the next couple of days."

New Zealand leaves on Tuesday for a limited-overs series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates and despite uncertainty surrounding the coach's position, Vettori said planning was continuing as normal and that he expected Moles would be on the plane to the Middle East - however difficult that might be.

"Andy and I have been in discussion since the end of the Champions Trophy planning for Dubai so we will just continue on with that and try to go to Dubai and win.

"That's what we're planning for and I know that's what Andy has been planning for as well.

"In light of recent revelations and what's going on in the background it's certainly going to be a difficult ask for Andy.

"He's a professional. He's been a cricketer his whole life. If it does happen then we have to make sure that it works and we have to make sure that it doesn't affect the team."

New Zealand will play three one-day matches against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, starting on November 3, before moving to Dubai for two Twenty20 internationals.

The teams then return to New Zealand for a three-Test series.