Cricket: Vettori bounces back with a vengeance

By RICHARD BOOCK

Not much more than six months after being controversially left out of the New Zealand cricket team's World Cup line-up, Daniel Vettori has emerged as one of the side's most potent forces.

The 20-year-old is already making waves in the test arena, where he is on track to become the world's youngest spin-bowler to take 100 wickets. He is starting to show the same chart-topping form in the one-day environment, both as a run-saver and a wicket-taker.

Vettori proved New Zealand's most effective bowler during the 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies, taking the most wickets in the series (nine) at the best economy rate (3.40), while reinforcing his considerable worth in terms of flexibility.

He is now New Zealand's most successful one-day spinner, having begun the series with 33 career wickets - equal with John Bracewell - and ended it with 42.

It was just midway through last year that New Zealand gambled on not playing a spinner throughout the World Cup in England, but Vettori's form since then has provided plenty of fuel for those who suspect it might have been a mistake.

Though under-bowled during the 3-2 series loss in India, Vettori came through what was probably his toughest ODI challenge with an enhanced reputation, and remained in commanding form through all five ODIs against the West Indies.

The left-armer conceded just 28 runs in a total of 268 in the first ODI at Auckland, took four for 24 and two for 33 at Taupo and Wellington respectively, and finished up with two for 40 during the tourists' 282 at Christchurch on Tuesday night.

Only in Napier, where he failed to take a wicket while conceding 40 runs, could the West Indies cope with his variations of flight, and even then they found him difficult to attack.

Together with Chris Harris, Vettori effectively consigned the West Indies to a slow death, putting the brakes on the scoring once the over restrictions were lifted.

Harris, with Scott Styris and West Indian Reon King, ended with eight wickets for the series and again proved a difficult proposition on New Zealand pitches, while also contributing with the bat and effecting a couple of signature direct-hit run-outs.

New Zealand's run-scoring star, however, was undoubtedly Nathan Astle, whose 320 runs at an average of 80 represented more than double the number scored by any one West Indian batsman.

Stephen Fleming was not entirely convincing but still scored a couple of 50s, Roger Twose started badly but finished strongly (with 171 runs at 57) and the only genuine concerns hovered over Craig McMillan and - to a lesser extent - Craig Spearman.

Spearman started brightly enough in the first two ODIs but then fell cheaply in the next three to finish with just 72 runs at 14.40, while McMillan managed to boost his total to a mere 43 at 10.80 after scoring 23 in the last match.