WELLINGTON: Daniel Vettori was named New Zealand cricketer of the year today as part of a hat-trick of awards for the captain of the national team.

Vettori also picked up the award for all rounder and most successful first class bowler. “Daniel has been an inspiration to his team and to New Zealand cricket fans,” New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said. “This year he has also cemented his reputation as one of the most accomplished captains in world cricket currently.”

Vettori had led his team by example, with his Test feats including taking six wickets in an innings against the West Indies, and a century against India. Later in the year the 30-year-old — who made his Test debut aged 18 — scored 140 against Sri Lanka and joined the elite club of Test players with 300 wickets and 3,000 runs.

Jesse Ryder won the first class batting award after scoring his maiden Test century and then a double ton against India, which gave him a 2008/09 season Test average of 55. The outstanding one-day international batting performance award went to Martin Guptill, who scored 122 on his debut against the West Indies. The one-day bowling award went to Kyle Mills, whose successes included taking a match-winning 4-35 against Australia in Perth.

Kiwis want coach out

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s cricket team wants coach Andy Moles sacked, and claim captain Daniel Vettori has effectively been filling the role for the last six months, a report said today.

An unnamed source said senior players claimed Moles had not provided them with adequate tactical or technical support, a report by Dominion Post cricket writer and former New Zealand fast bowler Jonathan Millmow said. New Zealand Cricket responded to the report by confirming Moles’ position as coach.

Moles would continue to prepare the team for a series of one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates starting early next month, chief executive Justin Vaughan said. He said New Zealand Cricket was reviewing the team’s performance following a recent tour to Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy tournament in South Africa, in which New Zealand lost to Australia in the final.

The 48-year-old former English county batsman took over as New Zealand coach last year from John Bracewell. New Zealand’s record has been patchy since Moles took over the reins. Four Tests have been drawn and three lost, and in one-day internationals New Zealand has won nine and lost 10. — AFP