Dawning glory for Vettori

BY SIMON DOULL

OPINION: This Tuesday at University Oval in Dunedin, the Black Caps will get their summer campaign underway when they take on Pakistan in the first test.

It's probably the biggest summer of cricket New Zealand's had for a long time with six tests in all – three against Pakistan, one against Bangladesh and two against Australia.

Over the last few years, this cricket team hasn't really performed as well as the players or fans would have liked and the series against Pakistan provides them with a good opportunity to kicks things off on the right note.

While there's no doubting Pakistan's pedigree as a strong test side, traditionally, they travel poorly and that can only be good for the Black Caps.

Make no mistake about it – the pressure is on.

Skipper Daniel Vettori – now a selector and also caretaker coach – in particular, will head into this summer's schedule with a weight of expectation on his shoulders.

In the last year or so he's had a lot of things go his way in terms of what he wants with regards to the New Zealand setup and how much control he directly has over the team.

He wanted the captaincy and he got it. He also got the coaching role by default after some senior players didn't agree with the last coach – Andy Moles. He's also a selector as well now, which makes this summer a bigger one than usual for him.

Naturally, given his many different roles, there's a concern in some quarters he's bitten off more than he can chew.

But knowing Daniel as I do, I'm confident he will handle his hefty responsibilities well.

It's hard to see him getting burnt out. After all, he wanted these roles and I know he wouldn't have put his hand up for them if he thought it was going to jeopardise his own cricket.

He's a very level-headed guy, a very level-headed cricketer and nobody is going to argue with the fact he is by far the best player we have in our side at the moment with both bat and ball.

Daniel has taken the extra responsibility on and he will be wanting to leave a lasting legacy when he eventually calls time on his stellar career.

This summer, if you like, is the start of his ultimate reign.

Looking at what has transpired in the last year or so, I don't disagree with much of what Daniel has done.

He and his team-mates have been proactive in trying to get the best out of the team and themselves.

My hope for New Zealand's sake and for Daniel's is that it all works out well for him.

The Black Caps, if they are going to be a good test-playing side, need him to be performing this summer and it's important he can do just that despite the massive amount of pressure he's under.

On the coaching front, there's been a fair bit of talk about who New Zealand Cricket will appoint to replace Moles, and in what role.

To replace or not to replace seems to be the overriding question.

On one hand, there's a possibility NZC might go down the same track as English Premier League soccer and simply appoint a manager rather than a coach.

The manager would be responsible for overseeing the team in its entirety and the buck would stop with him.

For want of a better word, he would be something of a facilitator and it would be his job to employ the various consultants needed to help coach the players. I'm talking about getting the likes of Martin Crowe and Sir Richard Hadlee on board as consultants where needed.

By having a manager rather than a coach, it would put more of an onus on the players to be responsible for their individual performances and that is a good thing.

If that's the way NZC goes, I certainly won't be one to criticise their decision.

It would be innovative and who says you need to have a coach at the highest level these days?

Talk to a lot of players from years gone by and they'll tell you they didn't need a coach.

On the other hand, if NZC does decide to replace Moles with a new coach – and the names we keep hearing are Steve Rixon or Duncan Fletcher – I wouldn't have a problem with that either.

Both men boast excellent coaching pedigrees and would have no trouble asserting themselves in the New Zealand setup.

Keep an eye out on Sky Sport for a new show this summer – The Cricketer's Show. It's a five-man panel show hosted by myself and former Black Cap Craig McMillan where we discuss the key issues affecting our sport every week. This week, the first show screens on Wednesday at 7.30pm and our guests will be Daniel Vettori, Iain O'Brien and Craig Cumming.

- © Fairfax NZ News