Cricket: Vettori expects captaincy to be debated

Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori expects his role as captain of the New Zealand cricket team to come under close scrutiny after an embarrassing 0-5 one-day international series defeat in India.

New Zealand suffered an eight-wicket thumping in the final match at Chennai this morning after posting just 103 all out, losing their 11th successive match across three series on the subcontinent since August.

Their preparation for next year's World Cup in tatters, Vettori acknowledged his position as captain will be under the spotlight ahead of the home series against Pakistan, which starts with a Twenty20 match on Boxing Day.

A cricket committee, established soon after the 0-4 loss in Bangladesh in October, has been tasked with reviewing all aspects of the team.

"I think you have to think that way," he told reporters today when asked if he thought his position as captain would come under threat.

"There are obviously decision-makers above me who will investigate everything and if that's the right thing to do, then that's the right thing to do.

"I still think I've led the team as well as I can but I understand the need for results and the need for change, if it's needed."

He emphasised that he wanted to retain the captaincy and help dig the team out of this hole.

"Life is about perpetually improving and that's what we need to do.

"We can't give up because New Zealand cricket is not going anywhere, and hopefully I'm part of the solution and I can bring some results to the team.

"It starts with our next series against Pakistan, which is an incredibly important series for us. I think we're a more confident team at home and I really hope we can turn our fortunes around leading into the World Cup."

Vettori said the time for talk and analysis was over - the team now had to start producing results.

"Addressing [the losses] is just part of the solution, you've got to apply that as well and we consistently just haven't played as a team," he said.

"One day we've batted well then bowled poorly, and to win in one-day cricket you've got to bring everything to the table.

"India have shown that to us in the series. They haven't let themselves down in any department and unfortunately we have."

Vettori hoped the team would regain some confidence in the domestic Twenty20 championship before Pakistan arrive later this month.

He was able reflect on at least one positive from the series, the emergence of James Franklin as a batsman at international level.

Franklin had for some time performed at domestic level but failed to step up.

He had scores of 72 not out, 98 not out and 17 not out in his three showings in India and proved he could adapt his batting to different situations.

"He's probably cemented himself in the World Cup team so it's great for him to come here and take his opportunity," said Vettori, who, along with fellow spinner Nathan McCullum, had a useful series with the ball.

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