Vettori and Moles in New Zealand's selection panel

In a move that could radically change how cricket teams are selected, New Zealand Cricket has formally appointed captain Daniel Vettori and coach Andy Moles as national selectors. With voting rights given to them, Vettori and Moles will now have a powerful say in selection matters, along with the two other voting members on the panel, Glenn Turner and Mark Greatbatch.

Justin Vaughan, the New Zealand Cricket chief executive, said the new make-up of the panel was "innovative but consistent" with the way the board had been operating.

This is indeed a unique state of affairs: captains and coaches are consulted in other countries when it comes to selections - and most attend selection meetings - but this is the first time they have been given voting rights. When Moles first took over from John Bracewell he had wished to not be involved in the selection process. However, just after India's tour of New Zealand, he said he wanted to be on the panel to make sure "my views and the captain's views are taken into consideration so we get the balanced side to win games of cricket".

Greatbatch, who was a non-voting advisor, takes on selection duties while John Wright, on the shortlist for Kolkata Knight Riders' coaching job, will be the non-voting advisor and concentrate on his work as the high-performance coach. In other development, Dion Nash has stepped down from the panel because of personal commitments.

Vaughan said after the new appointment: "Andy and Dan see and work with our leading players constantly, and are directly accountable for team performance. Therefore we believe it is important they have a formal input into the selection process. Both captain and coach currently form our 'on-tour' selection panel, who select teams when the Blackcaps are playing."


Vaughan said in many countries captains already had a big role in selection of teams, but New Zealand Cricket wanted to go a step ahead and give him formal responsibility. "Daniel is a strong and very able leader. He has vast international experience, and is absolutely committed to driving the team to improved performance. New Zealand Cricket has complete trust and confidence in Daniel Vettori being up to the task and we are convinced the team will benefit as a consequence."