Cricket: Heat on Vettori as NZ given lesson

7.20am - By MARK GEENTY

CANTERBURY, England - New Zealand cricket coach John Bracewell says his key spin bowler Daniel Vettori faces a confidence crisis after the tourists were dealt a shock nine-wicket loss by Kent today.

Kent took just 2-1/2 hours to finish the job on the fourth and final day, cruising to their target of 189 with unwanted England batsman Robert Key racking up back to back centuries to be 117 not out.

The tourists gave seven bowlers a run, minus Shane Bond who was today ruled out of Thursday's first test, but just went through the motions as Key and David Fulton plundered 174 for the first wicket.

Vettori's form is a concern after Key took to him today and he conceded 43 runs off eight overs to go with his first innings one for 100 off 15.

Bracewell plans to work closely with Vettori in the leadup to the first test against England at Lord's, and remained adamant the left-armer would play a full part.

"He's just trying to find a rhythm with his action, getting that self-belief back when you haven't had a bagful of wickets for a while," Bracewell said of Vettori, who hasn't snared a test wicket in five innings or 107 overs since his four for 158 against South Africa in Hamilton in March.

"You do start questioning yourself. I just have to work with him and try to build his confidence up as much as I can."

Vettori was attacked from the outset and offered little variation in pace, keeping his arm-ball hidden which got him two wickets in his five for 112 against Worcestershire last week.

Key, who hit 18 fours and a six in his 143-ball innings, gave a candid assessment of Vettori's form.

"We were a bit surprised he didn't change his pace much. He just seemed to run up and bowl. Whether he's struggling or working on something, I don't know," Key said.

"He's got a great record, he's the best left-arm spinner in the world and he's probably got a bit in the locker."

Despite the lack of bite in the New Zealand pace attack on an unresponsive pitch and the woeful batting collapse of 41 for five in their second innings, Bracewell painted a more rosy picture.

"The result was slightly disappointing, but time on our legs has given us a closer indication of what our test side's going to be.

"It's given the bowlers a chance to find and English length rather than the length they've been bowling for six months.

"I doubt whether England would, but if they take comfort from the result, that's great. It's not at Lord's, it's not the first test of the season, and I'm sure our guys will be ready on the day."

The test 11 is now all but confirmed, with Bond, Michael Papps and Kyle Mills set to sit it out on what should be a more seamer-friendly pitch.

The shadow playing 11 assumes captain Stephen Fleming will be passed fit to open the batting, after missing this match to rest the hip flexor injury which has dogged him since November.

Bracewell said his captain "will be fine", but Fleming himself, who had a net session on the match pitch today, is clearly still in discomfort as medical staff try to nurse him through the three-test series.

Bond will be given more time to build up his workloads in his long recovery from back stress fractures, taking one for 77 off 16 overs here.

Bracewell said Bond was "still on target" to play in the second test in Leeds starting on June 3.

- NZPA