Daniel Vettori
The BLACKCAPS captain talks about the Basin pitch, bowling to the Australians and the possibility of playing Brent Arnel.
On the build up for the Test Series…
“I suppose its gone as well as it could of. We have been lucky enough to train in some really good facilities and guys have been as specific as they can, so in terms of preparation we are as good as we can be but preparation doesn’t mean anything if we cant back it up tomorrow morning and the following four days of the Test match.”
On whether this Test Series will define New Zealand’s cricket season…
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“It will play a big part in it. Its been a pretty good season up until now. If we could have won the Chappell-Hadlee then it would have been a really good season, but if we look back from the champions trophy all the way through to now there has been some really good cricket and to finish it off in the Test match form would be the key for us because that is the one that we have struggled with.”
On the pitch…
“I think the nature of the pitch brings Brent Arnel into the equation. I think we will have a good hard look at it tomorrow, it will have a bit of drying today but its probably going to be a typical Wellington wicket where its got a little bit in it early on and then flattens out to a really good Test match wicket.”
“It depends how much it dries over the next while, if you looked at it now you would say its got a bit of greenness in it, a bit of moisture so you would look at the seamers, but we will delay that decision as late as we can.”
“We are trying to pick a team that can cover every option. You know what you are going to get when you come to the Basin, as long as the weather has been fine and preparation has been good then you get a good Test wicket. Its something we have got to play better on, our first innings batting hasn’t been as good here so in this Test match that’s going to be the key.”
On Brent Arnel…
“He has been waiting in the wings for a little while. He has been involved in a few squads and hopefully if he does get the nod then he is ready. He has been bowling really well and that’s the main thing.”
“He is pretty consistent, he puts it in the right areas the majority of the time and on the wicket its got a little bit of something in it I think that’s pretty crucial, and he bowls the right length so we just hope he is ready for the step up.”
On the toss…
“Australia always look to bat first and I suppose in a lot of ways we may look to bowl first if we take the four seamers in. I do think 24hours is a long time in terms of the wicket and it will get a lot of drying time. Its always tricky first session at the Basin, if you get through that then it turns into a really good batting wicket. “
On bowling to the Australian batsmen…
“It’s one of your biggest challenges in test cricket. I think If you cant get up for that then your not going to get up for much. They have got some of the best batsmen in the world, so to compete and do well against them should be the thing you look forward to.”
On his 100th Test match…
“Its almost, just trying to get it out of the way. You want to play a huge part in the Series but once that 100th one is over then I will be looking towards Stephen’s record and going towards that. 100 Tests was always my primary goal when I first started and to be able to tick it off at my home ground against Australia will be something special.”
