Daniel Vettori
BLACKCAPS captain Daniel Vettori talks before the series against Pakistan in the UAE.
On the difficult build up to the series…
“Yeah obviously the resignation of Andy Moles in the last week or so. We’ve come here coach less and it’s a difficult situation but I suppose everyone’s dealt with it and everyone is professionals in terms that they know cricket goes on and we have to turn up here and try and win. So if anything, it’s exciting to get out of New Zealand and get away from the scrutiny for a little bit and just come here and do what we do best.
On the pressure put on you personally over the last couple of weeks…
“It’s difficult from the perspective of having to front it all. I suppose as captain and selector as well, I think it means the focus has been on me for the explanation so once again coming away here takes a little bit of heat off that. I don’t feel like I have to pick up any slack in terms of coaching the side or anything like that but its about coming over here and trying to get the job done.”
On logistics for the side now there is no head coach with the team…
“I don’t think it changes too much. We have got two assistant coaches in Mark O’Donnell and Shane Jurgenson who will take over the majority of the planning. That’s the biggest thing that I want to make sure is taken care of, that I don’t have to worry of the logistics of touring around the side and Dave Currie our manager will take more of a role as well so I can concentrate on the cricket side of things.”
On the responsibility on you from a public perspective…
“I think the events of the last little while have meant an extra emphasis on me and when players are referring to me as coach, captain, selector and they say that they can’t get in my way or they cant do anything wrong because I have ultimate say over them I suppose it’s a little bit difficult but I think everyone understands that I’m here to play cricket and try and win and not worry about those other things. I think that they are side jobs and I have a lot of people that can help me and a lot of senior players that can help as well.”
On what type of coach you are after…
“I think that’s the ultimate question. We don’t want to rush this process because we will get ourselves in a similar predicament. I think we probably want someone with strong leadership and a person who can come in and I think bring a skill set to the side, particularly around our batting. That’s where we desire the most improvement and so someone who could come in and take that over would be great.
On the upcoming matches again Pakistan…
“I think that you could both say that we are mercurial sides. The inconsistency probably plagues both teams. You look at both teams and say there is some really talented players and guys who can win games but how often are we consistently doing. We know we are going to battle hard against Pakistan and we need those key players to step up and either to win games or to nullify Pakistan’s key players.”
On your first time playing in the UAE…
“I have had a few stopovers obviously and a few training camps but I have missed a couple of Shaja tournaments so excited by it. I turned up in Dubai ground today, an amazing complex and when you get the chance to play in those sorts of facilities I think guys get excited about it and that was all the talk around the dressing room today.”
On current focus and upcoming Twenty20 match…
“Absolutely. I think the importance is for us is winning that one day series and we have come of a good Champions Trophy and we are just hoping that we can continue with that. There’s a little bit of confidence in the side even though we have lost players through injury, we still believe we are good enough to win.”
On the effect of injured and missing player from the team…
“Its not too bad.New Zealand teams unfortunately have dealt with it on a number of occasions and they understand how to get up for them and we have showed ourselves to be a resilient side and I suppose it creates opportunities and also gives the likes of a Scott Styris, who is an extremely experienced player, the chance to come back in the team and prove his worth. If those guys perform then it means we have got a strong squad to pick from and maybe that’s been one of our biggest disadvantages that we don’t have a pool of players to consistently compete at a world stage and when these injuries take over we have struggled so hopefully there is a little bit of silver lining for us. “
