WELLINGTON, Nov 25: Former Warwickshire batsman Andy Moles was on Tuesday appointed to replace John Bracewell as the new coach of the New Zealand cricket team, after front-runner Matthew Mott pulled out at the last minute.

English-born Moles, 47, will take up the role next week in time for the West Indies series, which begins with the Test in Dunedin starting on Dec 11.

As a player, Moles was forced to retire in 1998 by an Achilles tendon injury, and has since gained extensive coaching experience with Free State in South Africa, Hong Kong, Kenya and Scotland.

For the past two years he has coached the New Zealand state side Northern Districts, taking them from bottom to top of the national championship in his first season in charge.

“Andy has an outstanding coaching background,” New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said. “He also brings leadership, passion, commitment and a drive to get the best out of his teams, attributes we believe are essential for this role.”

Vaughan said Bracewell would step down at the end of the current Australian tour.—Agencies