New Black Caps coach Andy Moles squeezed every last drop of talent out of his ability during an 11-year first-class career.
A stocky, pugnacious and sometimes dour opening batsman, Moles scored 15,305 runs at an average of 40.70, including 29 centuries.
What he lacked in natural ability he more than compensated for with determination and resolve - attributes which, sadly, appear missing in the Black Caps' top order.
The Black Caps' batting has been an issue for too long and Moles' first object must be to turn it around. But with the Black Caps-West Indies test in Dunedin beginning on Thursday, he has precious little time to get his message across.
He was appointed late last month and will sit down with the Black Caps for the first time on Monday.
"These guys all know they've underperformed," Moles said.
"But the biggest message from me, really, is the longer we bat, the consequence of staying in the middle is runs. When people are in low form there can be a tendency to try and hit your way out of that.
"Well, I don't think that is the right way to go. I think you have to show a bit of trust and belief in your own technique, that you are good enough to bat for three or four hours. If you do that your 75-100s will come."
That sounds good in theory but putting it into practice has proved difficult. Last season, the selection panel picked players who had a proven ability to bat for long periods.
Mathew Sinclair and Matthew Bell were recalled but quickly wound up on the scrap heap.
Cantabrian Peter Fulton is another player who has scored big 100s in first-class cricket but struggled in tests.
Helping the likes of Fulton and Bell, not to mention Jamie How, Aaron Redmond and Jesse Ryder, maximise their potential is something Moles would seem well-placed to do, given his background.
"While I was not the most gifted player, I certainly got the best out of myself through determination and mental strength. That is something I bring to my coaching. Everybody with hard work and understanding can improve and should not be afraid to be the very best they can be."
The million-dollar question is: How? Moles stresses it will not happen overnight.
"The growth of this cricket team is going to happen over the next 12 to 18 months, not over the next four or five days or even four or five weeks. The most important thing for me is to gain the players' trust so I can help their game, and that is going to take time."
Moles met the selectors last night but was not anticipating wholesale changes when he spoke to the Otago Daily Times earlier in the week.
The team is announced today and players will arrive in Dunedin tomorrow afternoon.
