Vettori sets his sights on Champions Trophy

After gaining a 3-1 ODI series win over England, the New Zealand team’s confidence seems to be surging. Kiwi captain Daniel Vettori thinks his team is now better poised to win bigger tournaments.

Vettori reckons that with the team’s current good standing, the task of claiming the ICC Champions Trophy title, scheduled to take place later this year in Pakistan, should be a feasible one.

Commenting on the Australian team, he said it is still the team to beat; but retirements of cricket stalwarts like Glenn McGrath, Brad Hogg, Adam Gilchrist may make a difference.

The Kiwis have made it to the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup five times but never managed to go past that round till date. The last biggest tournament that they won was the Champions Trophy in Kenya in 2000.

In the recently-concluded five-match series, the Black Caps were defeated by 114 runs in the first ODI. In the second match, the visitors were about to claim a win and level the series 1-1 but the umpires called it off due to rain. However, the Vettori-led team went on to win the last three games beating England by 51 runs in the final one. New Zealand had earlier lost the Test series 2-0 as well as the sole Twenty20 tie by 9 wickets.

According to Vettori, his team played fine cricket from Edgbaston onwards. He further commended the overseas performance of his team appreciating most of the senior players.

Performances by Jacob Oram and Scott Styris earned accolades from the skipper as well since they helped the side post a target of 267 for England at Lord’s. He also acknowledged the talent of 19-year-old Tim Southee who got the Man of The Series award for his amazing bowling exploits. The youngster was quite pleased to receive the award and thanked teammate Kyle Mills for being supportive.