The resignation of the Black Caps coach Andy Moles has claimed another victim, with wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum being relieved of his role as the team's vice-captain.
New Zealand cricket says if a stand-in skipper is required, McCullum will be an option, along with other senior players.
McCullum will now focus on improving his batting and wicket-keeping.
Meanwhile, the captain himself acknowledges the departure of Andy Moles means he's going to have to lift his game to compensate in the upcoming series against Pakistan.
But Daniel Vettori, in an admission that he's been more or less coaching the side himself anyway with Moles' hands-off approach, says hopefully that responsibility so far has sat reasonably well on his shoulders.
Vettori says the real key is that everyone involved in the team will have to lift a little bit to make up for the lack of a full-time coach on tour.
He says all that anyone really cares about is that the Black Caps win games.
New Zealand Cricket will appoint a new coach after the upcoming series in the United Arab Emirates.
The team leaves for Dubai late Tuesday afternoon.
