Daniel Vettori is set to join the illustrious 100 club when he takes the field for the second Test against Australia on tomorrow.
The BLACKCAPS captain becomes only the second New Zealander in the history of Test cricket to play 100 matches joining long standing captain Stephen Fleming in the exclusive club.
His international Test debut came against England at Wellington in 1997 when he returned useful figures of two for 98. However, it was his fourth Test against Sri Lanka the following month that showed his class. In that match the 18 year old spinner took nine for 130, including a five wicket haul in the second innings to seal a 120 run win.
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The achievement is a monumental feat for any player and even more so for a spin bowler in a country that seems to have an endless supply of seam bowlers and an endless supply of seaming wickets. But Vettori is widely acknowledged as one of the most intelligent cricketers and has learnt to out think the opposition, regardless of the conditions.
Vettori has evolved from a teenager tweaker with promise to a world class all rounder and charismatic leader. Add to that a father, respected mentor and New Zealand sporting icon.
Still just of 31, Vettori has a long time left in the game and a fair bit of unfinished business. His batting has saved the BLACKCAPS many times, and his bowling has provided individual highlights but Test series victories remain elusive.
In his short tenure as captain he has only tasted a series victory three times in the 11 efforts and all have been against Bangladesh. There have been a couple of close draws to go with a number of heavy losses against Test cricket power houses and Vettori is keen to buck the trend.
He leads from the front, as highlighted by his number one ranking in the international Mitre 10 MVP, and has high expectation from his players. With this philosophy strongly embedded in the BLACKCAPS camp an improvement on the teams current ICC ranking of sixth can be expected.
In term of individual career highlights, few can compete with his 12 wicket haul against Australia at Eden Park in 2000. In that match, Vettori singlehandedly tormented the visitors and very nearly clinched a rare victory for the BLACKCAPS over our trans-Tasman rivals.
Vettori also recalls the 1999 Test series victory in England as memorable a moment, especially his five wicket bag in the first Test to set up the win.
In a much celebrated career full of milestones there are still a few on the radar. The ambitious all rounder is set to become New Zealand’s most capped player with Fleming’s record just 12 away and also has his sights set on the elite 4000 runs/400 wicket club, of which Kapil Dev is the only current member.
He is the BLACKCAPS second leading wicket-taker on 319 behind Sir Richard Hadlee who ended his career with 431. On 3,925 he is fifth on the run scoring chart with Fleming, Martin Crowe, John Wright and Nathan Astle leading the way.
Noted for his integrity, commitment and professionalism, Vettori is respected both home and abroad and idolised in his Northern Districts province.
To commemorate the a100 Test achievement Vettori will be presented with specially embroidered cap by long-time Auckland cricket stalwart and New Zealand Cricket President Denis Currie.
Currie said that it was a great honour to be part of the special occasion and was full of praise for the new centurion, “I think Daniel Vettori has captured the imagination of the nation. He’s an inspirational person. Dan is an outstanding, tremendous person and it’s such a pleasure to congratulate him on his milestone”.
