Cricket: Vettori back in wicket-taking mode

8.00am

Daniel Vettori is happy to admit he's endured a dry spell in the wicket-taking stakes.

He had taken a meagre 16 wickets in his last 10 tests at an average of 76.00 heading into the first test against Bangladesh, which New Zealand won yesterday by an innings and 99 runs.

The left-arm orthodox spinner ended that drought in emphatic style by taking eight wickets in New Zealand's comprehensive win.

Vettori snapped up six for 28 in the second innings, his eighth five-wicket bag at test level and his first since the third test in 2001 against Australia in Perth.

He prospered on slow Bangabandhu National Stadium pitch that at times produced dramatic turn for the spinners.

The match provided another milestone for Vettori, who started his 56th test on 158 wickets but passed Danny Morrison's total of 160 to become New Zealand's third leading wicket-taker.

Chris Cairns is second on the list with 218 wickets, light years behind Sir Richard Hadlee on 431.

"Yeah I suppose so it's a bit of lean spell in terms of the wickets, so to knock Danny Morrison's record on the head was great. Now I can take on Chris," Vettori said.

"When you're on the subcontinent you're expected to do well and carry the majority of the bowling while taking most of the wickets and that's what Paul Wiseman and I were able to do.

"The wicket was quite slow from ball one. It was a wicket that was going to help the batsmen more than anything, but I think today there was a little bit more turn so it was a very good pitch to bowl on.

"I think we quickened our pace a little bit which the Bangladeshi batsmen didn't adjust to."

Vettori ended with match figures of eight for 54 from 51 overs, 28 of them maidens.

At one stage in the first innings he strung together six consecutive maidens, but Vettori, already appointed as the new captain for the upcoming three one-day internationals in Stephen Fleming's absence, also credited the Black Caps' bowling unit for his success.

"I think all our bowlers performed well, especially Jacob (Oram) and James Franklin with their effort in the first innings which set up the victory for us.

"Jacob was very difficult to get away which created a lot of pressure on their batsmen."

Vettori's trail of destruction in the second innings started late on the third day yesterday when he took two wickets.

This morning the pattern continued with a wicket in his first over and from there Bangladeshi batsmen dropped at regular intervals as they failed to cope with Vettori's bounce and spin.

When Mohammad Ashfraful was caught by Scott Styris with the score at 112 for eight, Vettori had his five wickets before trapping Tareq Aziz leg before wicket.

With the second test starting in Chittagong on Tuesday, Bangladesh can expect little respite from Vettori.

"I think it will be another flat pitch and our batters had a good look at their spinners, and I know our bowlers will want to continue well on these slow pitches," he said.

- NZPA