Daniel Vettori has become the most powerful captain in New Zealand cricket history.
The 93-test veteran is the first skipper to become a formal member of the national selection panel, and New Zealand coach Andy Moles also joins the rejigged group of four selectors, alongside panel co-ordinator Glenn Turner andanother former test batsman Mark Greatbatch.
Gone are Dion Nash, who stepped down because of family and business commitments, and John Wright, who remains a non-voting member of the group, but will focus more on youth development and high-performance coaching.
When overseas, the captain has invariably been a selector, but not at home, although he has had input into decisions. This formalises what has often been an unofficial arrangement while also giving the captain a full vote.
"Andy and Dan see and work with our leading players constantly, and are directly accountable for team performance," New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said.
"Therefore we believe it is important they have a formal input into the selection process."
Vettori sees the job as the final part of rounding out his role as team leader.
"When you're in charge of a lot of things you just want to make sure that because you are responsible for the team performance you want to have some control in selection," he said from Colombo last night.
He acknowledged the move meant he could have a hand in hard decisions on players who are good friends.
"That's going to be tough, but when you want to take on that responsibility you have to take up some of the harsher nature of those selections," he said.
Moles was initially reluctant when he became coach late last year.
But he now believes, having had several months working with the players, that being on the panel is a natural progression.
"Nearly a year down the line they know how I like to operate and I've certainly got to know how they like to be treated," he said.
Moles does not believe being a selector will affect his relationship with the players.
