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Daniel Vettori comes out of retirement for World T20. posted under: New Zealand | All news |
 New Zealand’s ace spinner Daniel Vettori has come out of retirement and has announced that he will be available for the World T20 scheduled in Sri Lanka this September.
The 33-year-old, who retired from the shortest format of the game last year, has played 28 T20 Internationals for New Zealand and 67 domestic games from leagues around the world, including Australia’s Big Bash and New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) own HRV Cup, but his most prominent performances have been as the captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premiere League (IPL). His bowling average of 22.46 and an economy of just over 6 runs an over will definitely boost the Black Caps’ chances this year.
NZC Chief Executive David White was quoted saying that Vettori’s availability was a real boost to New Zealand, pointing out that his style of bowling was well suited to the conditions in Sri Lanka, where the tournament starts on the 18th of September and runs through to mid-October.
With the preliminary Kiwi squad for the ICC World T20 to be announced in about a month’s time, Vettori’s return would be of great benefit to the team, who are ranked #4 in the ICC T20 rankings. The country’s supporters would not be disappointed as well.
National section manager Kim Littlejohn also spoke and was quoted saying that the ace spinner’s decision to restart his T20 career was about wanting to play another World Cup.
“Twenty20 is a format Dan enjoys and the opportunity to be part of a team which competes at a world event is enticing for him. He has been encouraged by his team-mates, coaching staff and others at NZC and we are thrilled to have him in the mix. He will offer a lot to the side,” he added.
Vettori has competed in all three ICC World T20 tournaments so far, and is seventh on the all-time wicket tally in World T20s, with Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal the only spinners to have taken more wickets than his 18 at an average of 16.05.
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