Veteran Black Caps spinner Daniel Vettori has confirmed his retirement from all international cricket.
Vettori spoke about his decision to a big media contingent, on hand alongside a crowd of well-wishers that turned out at Auckland International Airport on Tuesday to welcome home the beaten Cricket World Cup finalists.
Vettori returned from a lengthy injury break to play at the World Cup, but wanted to spend more time with his young family and focus on Twenty20 coaching commitments.
“It was my last game for New Zealand, in the final, so it was a lovely way to finish,” he said.
“It would’ve been great to win, but I’m pretty proud of everyone, the way we’ve gone about things the last six weeks.”
Vettori said he was particularly grateful for the support he had received from Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum and coach Mike Hesson.
“To be able to get back from a number of injuries and to be here and to be part of it, and to hopefully be a big contributing factor to us making that final, is something I’ll always treasure.”
He was hopeful the Black Caps had brought a new legion of fans into cricket with their style of play.
“That’s hopefully the legacy of this World Cup – between 1992 and this one, there’s some lasting memories for everyone.
“Hopefully some people have fallen in love with cricket, or fallen back in love with it. We’ve had so much support the whole way round, the guys have fed off that a lot. They’ve really enjoyed every aspect of it.”
Around 200 fans, some clad in replica strips and some waving flags, broke into cheers as the players and support staff made their way into the arrivals hall.
The team were the first New Zealand side to make the final of the tournament and were undefeated in the co-hosted event until they were beaten by seven wickets in Sunday’s one-sided contest against Australia.
Fans will get another chance to hail their efforts later on Tuesday when they are officially welcomed home at The Cloud on Auckland’s Queens Wharf.
Armchair Expert
Guest
Correct Don, 18 years of international cricket without a spec of dirt about him ,only positives, that speaks volumes about him.
MAF1970
Guest
Champion player and seems like a champion bloke. Carried the Kiwis for longer than he should have had to and I was so please for him that he at least got the chance to play in a World Cup Final. It feels like he has been around forever but the one thing I won't miss will be his ability to hang around and hold that middle to late order together. Just when you thought you might run through their tail there he was holding up an end and scoring valuable runs. Enjoy your retirement and do not be lost to the game. Congratulations on a wonderful career.
deccas
Guest
What a player.
Don Freo
Guest
Not one negative comment. That's a measure of the man. So well done, Dan Vettori.
richard
Guest
Huge fan of Vettori. One of the true greats of the modern game! He had a hand in NZ getting to the final, and had that wizard like ability to pull something out of the hat(with bat and ball) in the most intense situations, especially against us. He is also a true gentleman of the game and a great role model for future generations of NZ cricketers. Well done Dan Vettori...Well done!!
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Dan, been a great 18 years
bigbaz
Roar Guru
My favourite Kiwi, not a long list , but he's a genuine top bloke/star.
Hayley
Guest
Actually he had the most success against aussie. 55 ODI wickets and 66 Test wickets :)
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Great career Dan Vettori, comes across as a top bloke too. Reckon he will make a good coach.
jameswm
Guest
I always thought of him as the thinking man's cricketer. Not sure how much the specs had to do with it. I learnt a lot about spin watching him bowl. Variations of flight, speed, spin etc. He was hard to get away. Probably better than any finger spinner Australia has produced too, at least in the last 50 years.
Sage
Guest
Always liked Vettori. Seems to have been around forever. Great servant of Kiwi cricket and well done on a fine career
Johnno
Guest
Vettori's economy rate in the modern game with modern bats etc, is phenomenal, as good as it gets. He's never stuck me though as a huge wicket taker vs the aussies but he builds pressure well, kinda like an Andrew Mcdonald.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Well done Dan he's always been a player hugely respected in Australia.
MACDUB
Guest
Averaged 30 in tests with 6 hundreds and 13 fifties to go with 362 test wickets. A true gentleman of the game and a perfect role-model for young cricketers all over the world. Very humble and respectful. We salute you, Mr Dan Vettori.
Cantab
Guest
Was a big fan Kyle, He really deserved to get a run this WC. Also should have played moretest cricket in his early years.
Cantab
Guest
What a champ, sad to see him go. Bowed out in style too.
Craig Watson
Guest
Here here!!!
Craig Watson
Guest
Will be pleased to see the back of Harry Potter as he has been a deep thorn in the sides of the Aussies in all formats over his long and prosperous career. . A LEGEND and a great ornament for our great game. Word is that Dan could be captain/coach of the Brisbane Heat next BBL.
Targa
Guest
Kyle Mills has just announced his retirement as well - another great servant of the game (240 odi wickets). It is a shame he didn't get to play any games in the WC
Targa
Guest
An absolute legend and gentleman of the game. Probably the most improved batsman in world cricket from being a 18 year-old no 11 to a genuine test 6/7. Was the 2nd best allrounder in the world in mid to late 2000s (behind Kallis but ahead of Flintoff). 2005-2009 averaged 45 with the bat (Fleming only averaged 43 at the time) and 30 with the ball while playing for a weak side.