Daniel Vettori
The BLACKCAPS captain Daniel Vettori reflects on the Test match victory
On a confirmed playing team and O’Brien’s injury…
“I think O’Brien is ok. He has had a bowl today but we will reassess that tomorrow. I’m pretty confident that he should be right. We have just had a brief discussion with Mark Greatbatch and I think we have out heads around it, its just a matter of telling the guys. Look for me to bat sixth and we will play the extra bowler in this game we are just tossing up between whether going in with, four seamers or three seamers and two spinners.”
On batting sixth…
“I am excited about it in some ways and a little bit nervous as well. I think once you bat sixth the expectations are different but I suppose that I have to take a similar mindset that I have taken in to all of my battings displays and I think batting sixth in the One Day matches has probably helped a bit and realised my role a bit more and I am looking forward to it. I think if I can do that, it does give us a nice all round option.”
On batting in the up coming match…
“Sometimes in these situations you look to reinvent your game, I tried to ask them it’s a 5 – 10% improvement that they need, its not completely turning over their game its looking for a couple of key areas where they can improve and if they can do that and that is going to help our result. It goes to bowling and fielding as well because there is a limited amount you can do in a short period of time and if we can rectify a couple of key areas then that will make a difference to us.”
On BJ Watling…
“He is a typical Northern player. Pretty gritty, gets on with the job and understands exactly what he needs to do in most situations. There’s not a lot of fan fare about him he just gets in there and does it. He has proved himself lately particularly in the One-Day game, his four day form has been really impressive this season and he is a very good fielder as well so he brings a really nice package to the team.”
On the pitch in Napier…
“Its quite a bit different to normal. I know Phil has worked hard on putting some more pace in it and he wants it to be probably a touch livelier than it has in the past. So what he is saying is that every time the new ball is taken there is going to be a little bit in it so I think that’s a good thing. We have played on some pretty tough decks out here in terms of favouring the batsman so I think the balance will be a lot more even in this Test match.”
On the coaching of the team…
“I think there is an important role for a coach within the side and we have seen in the last little while where the likes of John Wright and Mark Greatbatch have come in and really helped out the guys, brought in their own personal experiences and their way of dealing with things and I know the guys have really enjoyed it so if we can utilize that sort of coach on a permanent basis I think that would be outstanding for the team.”
