Cricket: Mills backs selector Vettori

COLOMBO - Seamer Kyle Mills doubts New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori's new role as a national selector will harm his relationship with the players.

Vettori and head coach Andy Moles officially became members of the four-man selection panel yesterday after New Zealand Cricket (NZC) heeded the duo's desire for a more hands-on role in team selection.

The NZC decision to appoint Vettori and Moles alongside convener Glenn Turner and Mark Greatbatch has been highly scrutinised since the announcement on August 23.

Concerns over Vettori's new role centred on how his working relationship might change with players now he has an official say in their selection or demotion.

There were also fears about how the added responsibility would affect his workload and performance - though his sterling allround effort during last weekend's second test loss to Sri Lanka suggests his eye is still on the ball.

When he was appointed, Vettori admitted it could be difficult when he or Moles had to convey bad news.

"I hope the players see it in an objective way," he said.

"There are guys who are good friends, and one day I might have to sit them down and say that I was a part of the process that left them out.

"I've had a heavy involvement prior to this appointment so hopefully my role within the team, and the way I'm perceived among the team, remains the same."

Mills has already had the dreaded talk with Vettori and suggested the skipper's standing among the group would not create problems when the axe fell.

On the eve of the first test against Australia in Brisbane last November the fast bowler was told not only did he miss the team, he was also being sent back to provincial cricket so the second test in Adelaide was not a consideration either.

"I think that's the hardest thing as a captain," Mills said.

"I've been given the word by Dan before on previous tours. In Aussie he came up and told me I'd been dropped from the test side so he's made those gutsy conversations.

"At the end of the day I'd probably rather hear it from him than someone else I've played a lot of cricket with him from a young age, he's a mate of mine and we still go for a beer."

Mills was also happy the tour finally had two selectors on board.

"Prior to yesterday we had no selectors on tour and I don't think that's quite right," he said.

"I think there should be a selector on tour. Braces (former coach John Bracewell) as a selector worked well because he could see how hard guys were working in the nets and at training."

Vettori and Moles officially help select their first squad next month - the limited overs team to play Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in October.

However, in reality they have already been selecting on this and previous tours.

Vettori argued their roles had simply been "formalised".

He has admitted his playing commitments would ensure he could rarely talent spot at domestic level.

Turner, Greatbatch and adviser John Wright, NZC's high performance manager, will share that responsibility.

- NZPA