Cricket: Criticism spurs top spinner

By RICHARD BOOCK in Queenstown

Daniel Vettori is taking a philosophical attitude towards the hullabaloo over his bowling action, saying that if nothing else, the increased media attention would probably annoy him into performing better.

The New Zealand left-arm spinner has not enjoyed the most productive summer, following up a mediocre tour of Pakistan with three wickets in two tests, and then being removed from the attack on Saturday after just two overs.

And just as he was entertaining some less-than-generous thoughts about another seaming pitch in Auckland, long-time coaching guru Billy Ibadulla was starting to question the effectiveness of his action.

Ibadulla, who scored a century on debut for Pakistan and later turned his attention to a highly successful coaching career, suggested Vettori had problems in his action that were limiting his ability to succeed.

The veteran analyst pointed to possible flaws in his delivery stride, front arm, grip and follow-through, and what seemed to be a diminishing ability to spin the ball.

Vettori hit back in his own laconic way yesterday, saying his action was no different to what it was in Australia two years ago, when he was New Zealand's best bowler by far, and was causing constant problems for the opposition batsmen.

"I've bowled really well with the action I'm using now, which certainly hasn't changed since I had a pretty good tour in Australia," he said. "No one was complaining then.

"It's true that I didn't get the rewards I wanted in the recent test series, but you've got to qualify that by remembering that a very good bowler like Danish Kaneria did little better." Vettori believed his biggest problem was maintaining the dynamism in his action month after month and year after year, something he would be discussing with coach John Bracewell.

The 24-year-old has taken 106 wickets in 121 one-day internationals at the relatively modest economy rate of 4.35, and says the "passion and edge" were just as strong as when he was first selected.

"But maybe there's a little snap or fizz missing, and that can sometimes be a mental thing," he said. "I always expect more of myself and I'm always looking for ways to improve so I can play at my best."

Vettori said he tried to avoid speculative issues about his action, but conceded that being singled out for scrutiny could be unnerving and meant extra pressure.

The most comforting aspects were that he bowled tidily in both tests in India and was also a force during the one-day series there, and that he was beginning to recapture his rhythm in last week's second test in Wellington.

A sign his loop and drift were returning came when he beat Yousuf Youhana in the air and off the pitch to complete a trademark dismissal, and take his test wicket tally to 149.

"It was just starting to come right in the second test, and when I got Youhana out I felt like I was finally getting back into it at test level.

"It's not easy playing in ODIs for 10 weeks and then heading straight into a test match but that's the way it is now and, while I'd prefer a few four-day games to prepare, it's just not possible."