Vettori's long day ends in catches, victory

BY MARK GEENTY

Daniel Vettori hopes to return next week to take Queensland a step closer to Twenty20 cricket glory after ending a bizarre 24 hours by starring in a memorable Sydney win.

The New Zealand captain awoke in Invercargill, took three flights to Sydney, and after a few hours sleep was today bound for Mt Maunganui via Auckland for Northern Districts' match against Wellington tomorrow.

In amongst all that, he donned his first Queensland kit, took three catches, a cheap wicket and with Andrew Symonds inspired a 54-run victory over New South Wales at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.

All this in a rain-delayed, nine-over-a-side slogfest before an Australian domestic Twenty20 record crowd of 29,743, who fell eerily silent as their side collapsed to 56 for seven.

"It was really enjoyable, purely because of the result. It would have been a completely different feeling if I'd come all this way and not played well and we'd had a loss," he said.

And he could return next Tuesday if third-placed Queensland beat Chris Gayle's Western Australia on Saturday to book a preliminary final.

"I think I can fit it in, I still have to sign it off with ND and NZ Cricket, but I'm pretty confident if Queensland make it then I can be available."

New Zealand's Twenty20 competition takes a four-day recess next week, which enables Vettori to return to Australia, but he'll be unavailable if Queensland make the final.

Still, if they get that far it guarantees Vettori a spot in the lucrative Champions League.

Vettori's first act was to survive a hat-trick delivery from West Indian Dwayne Smith, as Symonds clubbed 38 not out off 21 balls in Queensland's imposing 110 for four.

Then Vettori fast became an honorary Queenslander when he raced 15m to dive brilliantly to catch test opener Phil Hughes first ball.

Vettori also took outfield catches to remove Dwayne Smith and Steve Smith, then took a wicket with his fifth ball when he bowled Ben Rohrer to take one for seven off his two-over spell. As the new boy, he safely earned his stripes.

"I enjoy that, it takes you back to entering your first teams in Northern Districts and New Zealand, you know a couple of guys by reputation and you don't know a lot of people.

"It's quite a humbling experience coming in, you don't know the in-jokes and you just sit back and just bide your time. When you have a win it gives you a chance to become closer to a team."

Vettori was in favour of Twenty20 cameos, as long as they didn't interfere with international commitments. He will likely attract interest from English counties in June, although a possible clash with a scheduled series against Zimbabwe might rule that out.

"It just depends how much cricket we're playing. If you're turning up for one game it's not a burden on the body but if you turn up for a whole season it can be a bit more difficult.

"It's definitely the way cricket's starting to go. Whilst you don't want to be a mercenary, you want to take opportunities that hopefully improve your cricket and you get enjoyment out of it."

- NZPA