Cricket World Cup: Vettori catch sparks wild scenes

New Zealand's players swamp Dan Vettori after his stunning catch. Photo / Getty

If one moment illustrated the unity of purpose in the New Zealand cricket team last night in Wellington it was the celebration after Daniel Vettori's catch of Marlon Samuels.

The 36-year-old channeled Air Jordan on the boundary at third man with a one-handed leap that curtailed a certain six off Trent Boult. The casual strut and all-in-a-day's-work flick of the ball afterwards, enhanced the theatre.

Samuels trudged off for 27 from 15 balls. Vettori was mobbed by younger teammates and, with the West Indies 80 for three in the 10th over, the match took a crucial turn.

"I couldn't believe it for him to leap up and stick out his paw like that," Boult said. "I enjoyed the celebration. The best sight was seeing everyone sprint towards him and grab him. That was cool."

Daniel Vettori making other men look like men who aren't Daniel Vettori. https://t.co/MJmis7gItT

— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) March 21, 2015

Vettori's age escaped Boult at the post-match media conference. "45" quipped double century-maker Martin Guptill.

"It was a massive part of the game," Boult added.

The left-armer was thrilled to get the chance to bowl his 10 overs through and capture four for 44.

"You've got to want to do it and that was what team needed for our best shot of disrupting that partnership [between Chris Gayle and Samuels]."

As for Gayle, he was quickly on the scene at the end of New Zealand's 48th over once Guptill had reached 217, having passed the West Indian's record World Cup mark of 215 set against Zimbabwe.

"Chris came up and said: 'congratulations, welcome to the club'."

Guptill also shared a special moment with batting coach Craig McMillan when he raised his fingers to the New Zealand hutch after hitting a six on the roof.

"He's had one on the roof [at the ground] and I've hit two."

Guptill also received some pre-match advice from batting mentor Martin Crowe.

"He texted yesterday and said 'try to hit the gaps'; it was nice to hear from him."

Speaking on Cricinfo's Match Point show in Sydney, Crowe said: "It hasn't just appeared on the day, it's been a year of work. We know he's a straight hitter but it's the defence he has worked harder on. Between all of those fours and sixes he played a good defensive game."

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