Vettori keen to open

As the New Zealand selectors reflect on the 4-0 series loss to South Africa and look towards the upcoming Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series against Australia, Daniel Vettori has offered another option in the struggling top order by volunteering to open the innings.

Having performed the role successfully for Northern Districts, including two centuries within the space of a week during last year’s State Shield, Vettori’s comment that if he was offered the chance to open in international cricket he would “grab it” offers a new option for selectors to consider, with the poor form of Nathan Astle, Stephen Fleming, Hamish Marshall and Scott Styris the main problem for selectors to ponder.

Vettori has been used as an opener before in ODIs, with three innings between 2000 and 2003 producing just 23 runs. But his batting has improved dramatically in the last two years and he says he is now ready to open the batting successfully at the top level.

The Chappell-Hadlee series, which last year saw two thrilling matches in a 1-1 drawn series, starts in Auckland on December 3.