Daniel Vettori. Photo / Supplied
Daniel Vettori Rather than be alarmed by the prospect of New Zealand's best cricketer joining forces with Queensland, Justin Vaughan hopes the major associations reciprocate and hire some Aussie big guns.
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has agreed to a two-match stint with the Bulls as their overseas player for
the Big Bash - Australia's domestic Twenty20 competition - and will make his Queensland debut on January 13 against New South Wales.
He is also available for the preliminary final should Queensland finish second or third and, most importantly, could play in the Champions League tournament in India should the Bulls qualify by finishing in the top two of the Big Bash.
NZC chief executive Vaughan said he was comfortable with Vettori's decision but more importantly, Northern Districts were.
"We double-checked and David Cooper [ND chief executive] and [coach] Grant Bradburn were quite happy. It is potentially only for one game, similar to Brendon last year with New South Wales," Vaughan said.
"There's the possibility other states see this and think ... there's a possible window to bring a marquee New Zealand player.
"And I would suggest the CEOs of New Zealand's major associations might also be taking a lead from this and take a look at the Big Bash calendar and see if there are little gaps where they could get an Australian T20 player over to play in the HRV Cup.
"Why not? It would add to the contest and in terms of Champions League concept it would get more players on your roster."
Vettori faces a hairy few days in the air. On January 11 he will fly from Christchurch to Invercargill for a HRV Cup game against Otago. Then he will hightail it back to, presumably, Christchurch for a flight to Sydney.
He will play for Queensland on January 13 before returning to Tauranga for a match against Wellington at Blake Park two days later.
Vettori has a gimpy shoulder but Vaughan said all evidence suggested it was not getting any worse.
"It's a chronic condition that needs to be managed, but one Twenty20 game will (not damage it)."
Queensland are delighted, coach Trevor Barsby praising Vettori's leadership ability, and "fantastic" cricket brain.
