Vettori played 113 Test for New Zealand in his entire career. (Source: AP)New Zealand’s most Test and ODI capped player Daniel Vettori announced his retirement from international cricket on Tuesday after a successful outing in the recently concluded World Cup.
Vettori’s decision came on the back of New Zealand’s defeat to Australia by 7 wickets in the finals.
But as he hangs his boots, many of his colleagues, experts and commentators wished him all the luck for his upcoming future on the micro-blogging site, Twitter.
Here are some of them:
Congrats on an excellent career to Daniel Vettori. Now I’m looking forward to his coaching skills @RCBTweets
— Darren Sammy (@darrensammy88) March 31, 2015
Difference in real class: Daniel Vettori and Brad Haddin – poles apart.
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) March 31, 2015
Congratulations Danny Vettori on all that you brought to the game: young players are richer for your skills and values. #ThanksDaniel #Class
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) March 31, 2015
Champion player, champion bloke. Congrats #DanielVettori pic.twitter.com/n8nR82AqoN
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) March 31, 2015
Daniel Vettori ends an outstanding international career. Can be proud of what he did.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 31, 2015
Fantastic Career … Great bloke… Congrats Dan on a brilliant Career… #Vettori
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 31, 2015
Congratulations Dan on a great career. Wishing you the very best in the future! #DanielVettori #Respect
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) March 31, 2015
One of the best left arm spinners world has ever seen announces retirement. Wishing you all very best #DanielVettori pic.twitter.com/gC48sfxC6J
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) March 31, 2015
Vettori is the second-most wicket taker in Tests for New Zealand. (Source: AP)New Zealand left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori confirmed what many expected in announcing his retirement from international cricket upon the team’s return from the World Cup on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old former captain had been widely expected to retire from international cricket at the conclusion of New Zealand’s involvement in the tournament.
New Zealand were beaten by seven wickets by co-hosts Australia in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, with Vettori suffering a lower leg injury before the game.
He finished with 0-25 from five overs, though took 15 wickets at 20.46 throughout the tournament with an economy rate of 4.04.
“It was my last game for New Zealand so it was a lovely way to finish,” he told reporters at Auckland airport.
“It would have been great to win but I’m pretty proud of everyone and the way they’ve gone about things for the last six weeks.”
“To be able to finish in the final albeit without a win, I’m just very grateful for the amount of support I had particularly from Brendon (McCullum) and Mike (Hesson).”
“To be able to get back from a number of injuries and to be here and to be part of it … is something I’ll always treasure.”
Vettori retires as New Zealand’s most capped Test and ODI player having played his 113th Test match against Pakistan in United Arab Emirates last November, more than two years since his last appearance in the longest form of the game.
Achilles and back injuries restricted his appearances in the latter years of his career but he worked hard on his fitness to be included in New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
He took his 300th ODI wicket during the tournament against Afghanistan in Napier, becoming the 12th bowler to achieve the mark. He finished with 305 wickets in total from 295 games for New Zealand and a World XI.
Vettori is the ninth player to take more than 300 wickets in both Tests and ODIs, having finished his Test career with 362 wickets and is the second-highest Test wicket taker for New Zealand.
Fast bowler Richard Hadlee, the first man to 400 test wickets, ended his career with 431.
Vettori, who made his international debut as an 18-year-old, led the side following the retirement of Stephen Fleming in 2008 until after the 2011 World Cup.
A succession of injuries since then ended his hopes of surpassing Hadlee’s wickets tally, though Vettori scored more runs than the fast bowler, notching 4,531 runs in Tests at an average of exactly 30, with six centuries.
Across all teams, he is the most prolific number eight batsman in Tests, having scored 2,227 runs with four centuries at an average of just under 40 there.
Adam Voges scored 1358 runs in domestic cricket this season. (Source: Reuters)Australia’s selectors have named leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed and veteran Western Australian batsman Adam Voges in their 17-man tour squad for the West Indies and England tours in June and July, but given the cold shoulder to Glenn Maxwell.
Ahmed and Voges earned selection following strong domestic seasons, with the 33-year-old leg-spinner the leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield with 48 wickets and 35-year-old Voges the leading run-scorer with 1,358 runs at an outstanding average of 104.46.
“Adam Voges and Fawad Ahmed had sensational seasons at domestic level and their performances just couldn’t be ignored,” selector Rod Marsh said in a statement on the release of the squad on Tuesday.
“They thoroughly deserve their call-up and the opportunity to be a part of this squad. We believe that both can play important roles in the side if required.”
New South Wales wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Nevill has also been selected in the Test squad for the first time as Australia seeks to groom a successor for the eventual retirement of 37-year-old Brad Haddin.
The 29-year-old Nevill scored 764 runs at 76.40 throughout the Shield season including a top score of 235 not out against Tasmania in February.
“Peter Nevill has been on our radar for some time and deserves his opportunity through weight of runs and performances behind the stumps,” Marsh added.
“He has also demonstrated impressive leadership qualities which have caught our eye.”
Local media had speculated explosive batsman Maxwell might be given a place after enjoying a fine World Cup campaign that culminated in a fifth triumph on Sunday.
Maxwell struggled in two Tests in 2013 against India and was brought back for one match against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates last year but dropped from the squad for Australia’s 2-0 series win over India in the home summer.
Pace bowler Ryan Harris was listed in the 17-man squad but will sit out the tour of the Caribbean to be home for the birth of his first child.
Fast bowler James Pattinson was ruled out of the West Indies tour with an injured left hamstring sustained during the recent Shield final, which Victoria won.
He would require “intensive rehabilitation” over coming weeks, the statement said, but would be reassessed for his availability against England.
Australia play two Tests against West Indies in June before the five-test Ashes series starts in England in July.
Squad – Chris Rogers, David Warner, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke (captain), Shane Watson, Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris*, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Fawad Ahmed
*only for England series
