Cricket World Cup: Looming record not on Vettori's radar

Daniel Vettori trains under the watchful eye of Nathan McCullum. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Dan Vettori admits he's never given much thought to his ODI bowling statistics.

If he plays against Afghanistan at McLean Park on Sunday in New Zealand's fifth group A game, as seems likely, Vettori will be chasing two wickets to take him to 300 international one-day wickets. He's taken 290 for New Zealand and eight for a world XI.

Vettori is well clear of New Zealand's second most successful ODI bowler, seamer Kyle Mills with 240. Only two other New Zealanders, Chris Harris (203) and Chris Cairns (200) have reached the double century.

He sits second behind Richard Hadlee with 361 test wickets from 112 matches.

"For a long time thinking about test records was really important to me, and in some ways one-day cricket was put in the background. Coming into the tournament I was thinking that way.

"It's how we progress as a side, and because we've been going so well and I've been able to contribute, I haven't really thought about it.

"But it would be a lovely thing to achieve."

Vettori has had a strong cup. He's taken eight wickets at 14 apiece in the first four games. His spell against Australia last weekend, two for 41 was a major factor in putting a handbrake on a runaway start.

Vettori took special pleasure out of performing a complementary role as Trent Boult sliced through Australia's innings in taking a man of the match-winning five for 27.

"Being able to perform my role while seeing Trent take all those wickets, that was very satisfying."

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