Cricket: Good and bad memories for Vettori

By RICHARD BOOCK

Daniel Vettori has seen the sublime and the ridiculous at Eden Park, but can think of few bigger occasions than today's showdown against long-time nemesis South Africa.

Locked at 0-0 with two tests to play, the moment represents New Zealand's best chance to win a test series against the South Africans since Ken Rutherford's tourists squandered a 1-0 lead in 1994-95.

Vettori has seen it all at Eden Park, from a career-best 12 for 149 against Australia four years ago, to virtual redundancy in his last outing at the ground in 2002, when he bowled just two overs against England.

But he said that few occasions could compare with the present battle against South Africa, describing the series as an intense, toe-to-toe struggle in which New Zealand had gained a slight edge.

"It's been a great tussle so far and we're not playing down the fact that we've been performing really well against one of the best teams in the world," Vettori said.

"In fact, we've probably gained an edge on them. The South African players have fantastic records, but we know we're playing well and we're just trying to ride the wave and keep it going."

The left-arm spinner said the atmosphere in the New Zealand camp was buoyant and he was not concerned about his lack of wickets at home this summer.

In three tests, Vettori has taken seven wickets, including a four-wicket bag during last week's stalemate in Hamilton.

"At the moment it's really enjoyable to be playing," he said. "You don't always hear players talking like that because it can sometimes be a tough slog. But at the moment, it's a lot of fun.

"I felt fine about Hamilton. I think everyone appreciated that it was a very flat wicket, and that's all there was to it."

Now with 158 test wickets, Vettori needs just three more to move into third place on New Zealand's list of highest wicket-takers, above Danny Morrison and behind team-mate Chris Cairns (198) and Sir Richard Hadlee (431).

He said he felt good at the crease at Hamilton, despite being unable to take a wicket in the second innings, but was looking forward to playing a more influential role at Eden Park. "I've had some good success here and I've also played in a test in which I bowled just two overs ... so it's been a mixed bag for me, like most places in New Zealand."

Having just emerged from the dogfight at Hamilton, he said he didn't really care what the Eden Park pitch was like, as long it was a fair wicket and offered the prospect of a result.

"We're not expecting anyone to be bowled out in the first session ... It would be nice if there was a battle on the fifth day for a win."

As for his batting, which in the past three tests has realised 254 runs at 63.50, Vettori said he would just continue to copy the example set by Stephen Fleming, who was also enjoying a purple patch.

"I've been dropping the bat down a little now so I'm not inclined to double-pump as much ... but I mean, batting is just a confidence thing and the confidence is very high at the moment."

He said there was no temptation to throw the toys out of the cot when rookie wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum debuted ahead of him at No 8, despite Vettori scoring his maiden test century in the previous series against Pakistan. "There were no problems there," he said ... "I know how good Brendon is."