Baptism of fire for Vettori as the Black Caps take on South Africa

Test previews / Andrew Hughes / 06 November 2007 / 2

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Leather-on-willow addict Andrew Hughes on why the Black Caps spinner has it all to do

This Thursday, in Johannesburg, Daniel Vettori leads New Zealand in a Test Match for the first time. A thoughtful, canny cricketer, he has taken well to his elevation, first in the Twenty20 game and now the longer version.

A loyal servant to New Zealand over the years, he was for a long time the best left arm spinner in the game and is a thoroughly likeable character. He seems, so far as it is possible to talk about such a thing, to be a natural captain, more so than his South African counterpart, Graeme Smith.

Smith is a powerful presence, a dominant batsmen and a leader, but there have been times in the last few years when his tactical nous, flexibility and man management skills have been questioned. I think Vettori possesses a subtler mind and could turn out to be a very good captain indeed. But having said all that, this two match series represents a challenge that is likely to be beyond his side. New Zealand have never won a series against South Africa, home or away and I really can't see them doing it now.

Consequently, it is worth backing South Africa to take the series (1.44) and the First Test (1.76) as well.

The home side go into the series after a major triumph in Pakistan, where they won both the Test and One Day Series, a feat that is all the more impressive when you consider they didn't need to employ Shaun Pollock. The emergence of spinner Neil Harris has finally given their pace-heavy attack some balance and on their own soil particularly they are a formidable proposition.

By contrast, the visitors are still rusty, having played nothing longer than Twenty20 cricket since the World Cup in March. Hit with retirements and injuries, their squad has a makeshift quality to it, an uneasy blend of the ordinary and the inexperienced, including yet another new opening partnership in Cumming and Papps, who have a total of thirteen tests between them and averages in the twenties. Their usual upper order frailty has been to the fore in the two warm up games, where they have had to be rescued mainly by contributions from Vettori himself and the lower order. There simply isn't the batting strength in depth to pose the rampant South African quicks any problems.

For that reason, of the several Betfair markets on this series, the stand-out bet has to be in the First Test highest opening partnership market. Cumming and Papps against Smith and Gibbs is a one-sided contest to say the least and I will be backing South Africa at (1.64) with a sense of security, particularly if the one quality batsman in the visiting squad, Stephen Fleming, does not recover from his injured finger in time for Thursday.

The presence of Fleming in this squad adds an interesting twist. He insists that he will be giving Vettori plenty of space and will only give advice sparingly but I can't believe that a man who was one of the most astute and popular captains in New Zealand cricket history can slip back into the dressing room so quietly.

For all that the regime change was supposed to be amicable, I am sure that Fleming thinks he should still be Test captain and his presence will be an inevitable challenge to the new captain. It will be a real test for Vettori to develop his own authority and get the best out of his team in what will I fear be a losing cause. Given the way they have batted thus far on the tour, he may find himself propping up the order more often than he would like. He will also have to bowl himself more than he has tended to do in the past to supplement the one world-class bowler they have in Shane Bond and admirable workhorse Jacob Oram. It promises to be a real baptism of fire for the new captain.

If Vettori acquits himself well on this tour, I believe he could turn out to be an excellent captain. But who is the best captain you've ever seen on a cricket field? And what do you think makes a good captain?

For more information about the upcoming series between South Africa and New Zealand go to:

www.cricinfo.com

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Jamie Carl | 06 November 2007

To be a good captain you need:

1)strong tactical nous in terms of fielding placements and bowler changes as well as the ability to make the right decisions as regards what to do after winning the toss and when to declare.

2)Good relationship with the team coach and board of selectors and strong, confident man-management skills with your players.

3) Ability to handle the Media.

I'd list Stephen Fleming as the best at point number 1), Steve Waugh as the best at number 2) and Ricky Ponting at point number 3).

I'd also add that I think Shane Warne would have made one of the very best Test captains ever had he been given the chance.
Dip | 08 November 2007

Pitcher are fast in South Africa and New Zealand is much improved side now.It will be a good series to watch and trade.
Dip