Cricket: Too many one-dayers, claims Vettori

Daniel Vettori. Photo / Getty Images.

Daniel Vettori is calling for a reduction in the number of 50-over one-day internationals as cricket's governing body set their 2012-2020 Future Tours Programme this year.

His plea comes after the ICC's October directive to implement test and one-day championships - but the plans remain vague. At this stage, the test championship is likely to culminate in playoffs sometime during 2013 at Lord's while the one-day champions would be crowned in April 2014.

The Black Caps skipper stresses he enjoys the 50-over format but says there are too many meaningless games in series that can stretch to seven matches. New Zealand will face Pakistan in six matches later this month.

"That's the one a lot of people talk about," he says. "Why are we playing these extended one-day series? What's the point? Hopefully the ICC follows these proposals through because I'd like to have more riding on every game.

"The number of games need to be reduced so fans [and players] enjoy them more again."

Vettori acknowledges that, despite such an appeal, players are generally not cutting back on the amount of cricket played as Twenty20 leagues sprout up worldwide. Many are taking up county or provincial contracts overseas on top of what they play domestically here and internationally.

"Everyone understands how difficult it is to be away, but we have the choice to play the IPL and other competitions. It is important not to use that as an excuse. We get breaks from the game."

Vettori would prefer each one-day international series was seen in the wider context of a world championship, rather than being inconsequential.

Vettori returns to lead a New Zealand XI against Pakistan in a three-dayer at Whangarei today, following a break after the Indian tour to rest his back and shoulder. He's had a chance to look at cricket from the outside and focus his thinking on how the Black Caps recover their one-day form to compete at the World Cup starting next month.

At this stage, Vettori insists this is his final stand as captain of New Zealand in all formats, although the Herald on Sunday understands moves are afoot within the team and the administrative ranks to get him to change his mind.

"I'm keen to keep playing after the World Cup," Vettori says. "But I'm not sure what form that will take. I am keeping my options open.

"It's incredibly difficult when you make a statement, as I originally did a long time ago that I was going to give up the captaincy. I think it's better to play your cards close to your chest and, when the timing is right and you get the right feeling about things, you make decisions from there. At this World Cup I'll only be 32, so hopefully there is plenty of cricket left in me."

His future in the team also depends on how the John Wright coaching era unfolds. It's a settling-in period for now.

"Most of the guys have had few dealings with John, apart from the odd time he's popped into camp under previous coaches. The feedback so far is positive. He's passionate about cricket and is one of the few people who can make you love the game again.

"Sometimes it can be a long time out there in the field; it's challenging, but he has an ability to reinvigorate that passion, even in older players."

Vettori has noted less of the infamous New Zealand public knocking machine since Wright's appointment.

"Obviously John's a folk hero and people respond well to any change when things aren't going to plan.

"He's even one of the few guys I imitated growing up as a left-hander, muttering a few words [like Wright] under my breath every ball as well," Vettori jokes.

The skipper is less enamoured with criticism from some former players - a few colloquially referred to as the "1980s mafia" in cricketing circles and others from the 1990s - who had little more success in a Black Cap than the incumbents. Ever the diplomat, Vettori can understand their motives.

"From what I observe, ex-players become incredibly proud, in the best sense of the word. That manifests itself in different ways; be it criticism or guys getting in and helping with the current set-up. You see some popping up who you wouldn't expect to be giving their two cents worth - but people can agree with that or not."

Vettori admits the intangible notion of confidence has been affected most in the current team and Wright is doing his best to resurrect it.

"As much as you want to kid yourself, confidence from winning is a big thing. You start to question a lot of things when you lose... in fact, you start to question everything. These recent wins have brought back some confidence, but I'm mindful our big test remains on the sub-continent."

Vettori is renowned as an independent thinker - hence his request to personally select a support team around the Black Caps post-Andy Moles - but he has sought the counsel of former captain Stephen Fleming on occasions.

"We've talked about how to reinvigorate the team because he manages a number of players within the side [including Brendon McCullum, Tim Southee and James Franklin]. He's been a great mentor to me over the years."

One motivation technique gearing to the World Cup will be to seize on the desire of senior players for one last flourish.

"Scott [Styris] and Jake [Oram] could be playing their last World Cups and possibly even Kyle [Mills]. For others like Ross [Taylor] it's a chance to prove he is one of the most destructive batsmen in the world. For Brendon it's all about winning games. He's gone through some changes of late [with his role in all formats] but is settled in the line-up again now."

Of those likely to join Vettori on the sub-continent, Nathan McCullum is rising near the top of the list.

"He's opened the bowling, bowled at the death or in the middle with real talent, especially on flat wickets with short boundaries. He's also played some good innings and is one of our best fielders. I couldn't be happier with his progress."

Kane Williamson should also remain in the squad, Vettori thinks. "He has got one of our few one-day hundreds of late and he bowls, although not as well as he would have liked in India recently as he learns the pace of those wickets."

New Zealand have made five semifinals over nine Cricket World Cups but missed the top four both times on the sub-continent.

In 1987, the Black Caps failed to progress beyond pool play under Jeff Crowe while in 1996 they were ousted in the quarter-finals under Lee Germon, despite making 286-9 batting first in Chennai against Australia at the knock-out stage.

Vettori knows history is against them, especially with 11 straight one-day losses in that part of the world between August and December. He is also wary sub-continental conditions effectively make it a home tournament for four nations rather than one.

One area he will be keeping an eye on is cabin fever, which he says is a tricky problem to manage as captain.

"Some guys need to get away from their rooms to keep themselves fresh, others happily just sit around getting ready. It's hard to satisfy both needs. It's difficult for New Zealand Cricket, too, because security is paramount but you don't want it to be deterimental to the team.

"Fortunately, on the recent Indian tour some of us know a number of their team from the IPL and they know people who could take us places. The security is still there but it was easier to get out and about, but that's not the case in Bangladesh. It will be hard to get about anywhere during the World Cup."