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BLOEMFONTEIN - New Zealand's new cricket captain Daniel Vettori hailed former skipper Stephen Fleming's return to the fold today.
Fleming, who handed the reins to Vettori after the World Cup in the Caribbean in May, is back in harness after missing the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa last month.
"It's great having him back, first and foremost for his experience," Vettori said.
"He was captain for 10 years so he has a wealth of knowledge and is also a great contributor with the bat."
Vettori spoke at the first news conference of a South African tour that will feature two tests, a Twenty20 match and three one-day internationals.
The Black Caps have yet to win a test series against South Africa, but Vettori was confident he had the personnel at his disposal to work towards that goal.
"We've got all the squad to pick from, which is quite a rarity, and we're very much looking forward to the first game," he said.
Their first match is a four-day encounter against a South African Invitation 11 that starts on Thursday in Bloemfontein.
"It'll be great to get outdoors and Bloemfontein's a good place to be," Vettori said.
"It has a good wicket and it's a pure cricket ground.
"We have a good group of fast bowlers over here, with Shane Bond and Chris Martin, who has excelled in particular against South Africa in the past.
"Batting-wise, we have everyone we would have wanted except for Peter Fulton (who pulled out of the tour with a knee injury).
"We need good platforms and all the batsmen have a feel for what they need to do."
Coach John Bracewell shared Vettori's bullishness about the Black Caps' chances in the test series.
"We need to take 20 wickets as quickly as possible and I believe we have the bowling attack to do that," Bracewell said.
"I'm confident we have the attack for all types of conditions. We've done our homework on pitches this time of year which is why we've brought a whole contingent of fast bowlers with us.
"We have spin back-up in Jeetan Patel, but we are likely to play just one spinner.
"The attack is well balanced with good swing bowlers and a world-class left-arm spinner."
However, Bracewell also sounded a note of caution.
"To win the series we'll have to stay in the game for as long as possible," he said.
"South Africa will be coming back with confidence off their win in Pakistan, while we're coming off our winter break, so we'll have to hang tough."
New Zealand will take on South Africa A in Potchefstroom in another four-day match starting on November 1, and Bracewell was satisfied that his team would be well served by what should prove to be rigorous preparation for the test series.
"It makes a huge difference having two four-day warm-up games against good opposition," he said.
"If your first two games are cakewalks then you have no real feel for the tests, so we're happy to have good competition and it will only get stronger in Potchefstroom.
"We will have to play well to come out on top."
The first test starts in Johannesburg on November 8.
- NZPA
