Cricket: Vettori has prime time as mates struggle

Daniel Vettori. Picture / Reuters

Daniel Vettori has a new 42-inch plasma television to cart home from the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day series, but it's doubtful many of his New Zealand teammates will be round to watch highlights of their trans-Tasman cricket experience.

New Zealand's stocks undeniably rose in the one-day segment of the tour which ended in stalemate at The Gabba yesterday, but the 0-2 Trans-Tasman Trophy test defeat exposed deficiencies that still need addressing before the world champions make a return visit in February.

Like the test series, the one-dayers ended in a no-contest, though it was the weather not the Black Caps to blame as the decider was abandoned without a ball being bowled four hours after the scheduled start time.

A reserve day was not factored into the itinerary, so the trophy will go on the line again in New Zealand next year.

Vettori, clearly New Zealand's most reliable performer on tour, was named man of the series on the strength of an analysis boasting four wickets for 67 from 20 overs in Melbourne and Sydney. His 33 off 36 balls in a forlorn run chase at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Wednesday strengthened the spinner's case for a new television.

Captain Stephen Fleming hopes more Black Caps will challenge his vice-captain for the end of series spoils in the New Zealand summer, acknowledging the side has a couple of key players "simmering" in the background -- Daryl Tuffey and Shane Bond.

Pace bowling was a missing ingredient in the test series as Vettori was left to shoulder most of the overs as the Black Caps only recognised strike weapon.

Tuffey and Bond, should he return from back surgery, will help address that area, leaving the top order as the major concern.

New Zealand's only century maker in the tests was allrounder Jacob Oram embarrassingly one of only three Black Caps -- the others were Fleming and Mathew Sinclair -- to make a higher score than Australian tailender Glenn McGrath's 61.

Australia was all too much for opener Mark Richardson who announced his retirement yesterday, citing mental tiredness.

"I tried to talk him out of it," Fleming admitted.

"He wasn't recognised enough in terms of the runs he provided. He wasn't flashy or flamboyant but he was recognised as one of the top 10 players of the world for a long time.

"He was different .... a surfer, an ex-spinner. He could be complicated but also extremely interesting over a beer.

"I'm disappointed to see him go."

Canterbury's Michael Papps, on the comeback trail from injury, is a prime candidate to step into the void against Sri Lanka and the world champions' return visit.

Richardson was not the only player to be put through the mill over the last month.

Scott Styris and Craig McMillan also had a tough time downunder while Mathew Sinclair only managed two innings of note -- 69 at The Gabba and a crucial 48 as the Black Caps won the opening one-dayer in Melbourne last Sunday.

Fleming said the win at the Telstra Dome highlighted the fact New Zealand was more competitive at the abbreviated version of the game.

"We've still got issues with test cricket, it is a concern and it's something John (coach Bracewell) and the management will be addressing."

He was relieved the squad justified its No 3 ranking in one-day cricket by pushing Australia hard.

"We're glad to finally play some cricket that we knew we could.

"We were pleased to compete and weren't surprised to compete because it's pretty obvious we're a better one-day side than we are a test side at the minute.

"The group of guys we have now are developing nicely, gradually we're increasing our depth in one-day cricket."

Hamish Marshall and Brendon McCullum starred in game one while Kyle Mills silenced some critics with a bowling comeback at the SCG and a whirlwind 44.

However, the status of Mills' fellow pace bowler Ian Butler is under a cloud after Bracewell's younger brother Brendon launched a scathing attack on the little-used Northern Districts right armer, claiming yesterday he was a "selfish bloke ....the sort of character Johnny doesn't want in the team.

"He is one of those blokes who gets a dose of the sniffles and infects the whole team with his misery."

John Bracewell would not comment on his brother's outburst yesterday but should face further scrutiny when the team returns home tomorrow.

- NZPA