Moles resigns as NZ coach

New Zealand will travel to the United Arab Emirates for a limited-overs series against Pakistan without a coach following Andy Moles' resignation on Saturday.

Just two days after news broke that senior players lacked confidence in the Englishman's abilities to lead the national side, New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan confirmed that they have accepted the 48-year-old's decision to step down.

Moles, whose contract was due to expire after the 2011 World Cup, went into mediation with NZC on Friday after senior players had aired their concerns through the standard review process following the tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

The two parties reached an amicable agreement during arbitration on Friday, the terms of which will remain confidential, and Moles will not be with the team when it leaves on Tuesday for next month's three one-day internationals and two Twenty20s in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, respectively.

"Andy has made a significant contribution to cricket in New Zealand, including the recent success of the Black Caps team in making the final of the Champions Trophy," Vaughan said.

Moles, who was coach of Northern Districts prior to his appointment as John Bracewell's replacement last November, said in a statement: "It has been a great privilege to have been the coach of the Black Caps and, while I am sad to be leaving, I wish the team every success in the future."

With no coach in place, captain Daniel Vettori seems likely to take on the extra responsibility during the short tour, although the remainder of the Black Caps' support staff will be travelling to the Middle East.

Under Moles, New Zealand managed four draws and three losses in the Test arena and suffered an early exit from the World Twenty20 in England.

In one-dayers there were eight wins, 10 losses and four no-results, although the Black Caps were the surprise package at the recent Champions Trophy where they reached the final.

The former Warwickshire batsman was the surprise choice when he got the job last November after New South Wales coach Matthew Mott had turned the position down.

Moles has had a difficult time since moving into international coaching.

He began with Kenya in 2003 but quit at the end of 2004 as reported mismanagement within the board took its toll.

He then took over as Scotland coach but, after leading them to the ICC Trophy, fell out with some leading players and resigned.