by Senadheera Jayakody

Created on: November 25, 2009   Last Updated: November 27, 2009

Daniel Vettori is the best spinner in the history of New Zealand cricket and has been one of most dangerous bowlers in the world cricket today with his fine spin bowling. He is the current skipper of the New Zealand national cricket team. He was born in Auckland and attended Marian School and later St. Paul's Collegiate School. He plays domestic cricket for Northern Districts and also plays for Indian Premier League team, the Delhi DareDevils.

When he made his debut in 1996/1997 at the age of 18 he was the youngest cricketer to represent the national team of New Zealand. It was at Wellington on 6 February 1997 against England. His first international wicket was Nassar Hussain who was a former England player. Once Vettori made his first class debut his first was also Nassar Hussain. Daniel Vettori played his first ODI match against Sri Lanka, at Christchurch on 25 March 1997. As a great all rounder he secured his place by entering the elite club of all rounder's who have taken 200 wickets and scored over 2000 Test runs. That was just the beginning of his magnificent cricket record. He became the eighth player to take 300 wickets and score 3000 Test runs on 26 August 2009.

Vettori was selected to play against Australia as member of World XI Super Series and he managed to play all 3 ODIs and the Super Test. As of 10 March 2008 Daniel Vettori was the first in ICC Player Rankings for One Day bowlers. Also he ranked second among Test all rounders and ranked tenth among ODI all rounders. His experience and talent lead him to be the captain of New Zealand cricket team after Stephen Fleming, the former captain of New Zealand. Also currently he is the temporary player-coach of the team.

In his 94 Tests Vettori has taken 303 wickets with a career best of 12 wickets for 149 runs at an average of 33.51 runs per wicket. He has got 18 five wicket hauls and 3 ten wicket hauls too. His batting has been quite exceptional even he is playing far down the order in many of the innings he has played. He has averaged over 42 in his last 22 Test matches. With 4 centuries and 20 half centuries he has scored 3492 Test runs. In ODIs his already has picked up 256 wickets in 248 matches with the career best of five wickets for just seven runs. In ODIs he has scored 2123 runs including three half centuries.

On many occasions he has rescued the team batting at No. 8th and recently he has promoted himself to No. 5 playing as more of an all-rounder. When considering the fact that he has just entered his thirties and has yet many years to come, he definitely would be one of most successful players in world cricket.

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