Cricket: Another Vettori high wouldn't go amiss

Vettori has reached 112 test appearances.

Daniel Vettori's record 112th test appearance has been forgettable so far - none for 93 at the end of the third day is hardly a celebratory tally, although play overnight might have changed that.

However, one thing can't change in the near future; Vettori's appearance in the first test between New Zealand and the West Indies makes his test count the most by a Kiwi in the longest form of the game.

If he hadn't performed with bowling and/or batting valour in this test when deadlines intruded, he certainly did in what were arguably his five most intriguing performances.

1. New Zealand vs Australia in Auckland, 2000

This remains Vettori's finest statistical display with the ball in test cricket and it was one that nearly carried New Zealand to a rare victory over Australia. The bespectacled left-armer claimed 5-62 in Australia's first innings as they were bowled out for 214 - an Australian side that included Justin Langer, Michael Slater and the Waugh brothers. The Kiwis replied with a woeful 163, including 15 not out from No10 Vettori. With a healthy lead in the context of the game, Australia pushed on to 229 in their second effort but they couldn't escape the vengeance of Vettori as he picked up a career-best 7-87 and finished with a match analysis of 12-149. New Zealand crashed in their final innings in pursuit of 281 as they were bowled out for 218 and lost by 62 runs.

2. New Zealand vs Pakistan in Hamilton, 2003

A genuine all-rounder was born during this pre-Christmas test in Hamilton. Vettori had always shown potential with the bat, but on Saturday, December 20, 2003 he blazed his way to an unbeaten 137 from No9 for his maiden test century. The test itself meandered to a dour draw but Vettori's ability as a batsman was realised. Despite his unorthodox technique, he has been remarkably consistent with the blade in the past seven years. Of Vettori's six test hundreds to date, three of them have come against Pakistan.

3. New Zealand vs Zimbabwe in Harare, 2005

This test was all about Vettori. Batting at No8, he top-scored with 127 from 98 balls as New Zealand posted 452-9 dec in their first innings. The Kiwis then rolled Zimbabwe for 59 and 99 as they won by an innings and 294 runs. Vettori claimed 2-1 in the first innings and 4-28 in the second as the Zimbabweans had no answer to a rampant New Zealand side.

4. New Zealand vs Pakistan in Dunedin, 2009

Vettori top-scored with 99 from 133 balls in the first innings as New Zealand posted a credible 429. Pakistan replied with 332 in their first dig as Shane Bond picked up 5-107. Vettori wasn't out of the wickets though as he snagged 2-64. The Kiwis collapsed in their second innings to only register 153 and leave Pakistan needing 251 to win. Bond came to the fore with 3-46, but the ever-dependable Vettori claimed 2-51 in a great all-round effort as New Zealand won by 32 runs. Bond was awarded man of the match but it was hard to deny Vettori's overall impact on the game.

5. New Zealand vs Bangladesh in Dhaka, 2004

The Black Caps aren't known for picking up innings victories but this one involved a particularly frugal bowling effort from Vettori. The spinner took 2-26 from 29 overs, including 15 maidens, in Bangladesh's first innings as the home side were shot out for 177. After New Zealand piled on 402, the test cricket minnows were given an uphill task to stay in the contest and Vettori spun his side to victory. He claimed 6-28 from 22 overs and the Kiwis won by an innings and 99 runs.

In this test match, the West Indies closed day three on 442-6 with a 91-run lead after New Zealand were bowled out for 351 on day two. Destructive West Indies opener Chris Gayle blasted 150 for the home side, while fellow opener Kieran Powell registered his maiden test century as he scored 134. The pair put on 254 for the first wicket before part-time off-spinner Kane Williamson finally removed Gayle when he was caught by Brendon McCullum.

Gayle, who was dropped by Daniel Flynn on day two when he was on 36, said he wanted to make the most of his opportunity to bat after he had spent a long time in field.

"Once you give a batter a chance, you've got to make sure you make them pay for it and that's what I did. Getting a second lifeline, I wanted to punish them for that as well.

"In test cricket I've dropped catches when guys have gone on to get big hundreds so it's a tough thing. So when you get that chance as a batter you try and get even tighter and you dig deeper and score as many runs as possible with that chance."

New Zealand looked like they were going to concede a huge total but four wickets in the final session brought them back within striking distance of keeping the West Indies to a manageable score.