Cricket World Cup Final: Daniel Vettori Gives New Zealand an Edge

Australia take on New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday to decide which co-host will win the Cricket World Cup.

Before the tournament began, many predicted these two as the most likely finalists—both sides looked strong on paper. During the competition, both have benefited from playing on home grounds, have been buoyed by big crowds and have squads suited to the conditions.

But few would have predicted the key role the oldest player left in the competition could play.

Trent Boult and Mitchell Starc have both lit up the tournament with fast, aggressive and accurate left-arm swing bowling. They are the first and second leading wicket-takers, respectively. Brendon McCullum and Steve Smith, among others, have sparkled with the bat.

But a 36-year-old, bespectacled, bearded man from Auckland could well be the difference between the two teams.

The two sides are evenly matched in many respects. Both contain fast aggressive bowlers, power-hitters and accomplished batsman. The difference lies in variation: The Kiwis have a world-class spin bowler, the Kangaroos do not. Glenn Maxwell has occasionally been effective, but he does not offer nearly as much to the Australian attack.

Phil Walter/Getty Images

Daniel Vettori, like the majority of left-arm spinners, does not look immediately threatening. His role in the side is generally understated. He goes about his work with unassuming vigour, ambling in to bowl his finely tuned deliveries. Flight, deception and variation are his assets.

But he hasn’t gone under the radar completely; 15 wickets, sprightly fielding, a spectacular catch and a dramatic role with the bat in New Zealand’s semi-final success over South Africa have seen to that.

What is perhaps more impressive is his control. Vettori has conceded just 19 boundaries from a total of 425 balls bowled. By comparison, semi-finalists South Africa and India’s premier spin bowlers, Imran Tahir and Ravichandran Ashwin, both conceded over 30.

The result is that Vettori has a miserly economy rate of 3.98-an-over at the World Cup. On average, he takes a wicket for every 19 runs he concedes. He builds pressure through a tight line, unerring accuracy and variations of pace and spin. He is the perfect foil for New Zealand’s impressive pace bowlers.

"

In 2014, NZ played 16 ODIs. Vettori played 5, Boult 2, Elliott 0. Kiwi selectors have made some inspired decisions for this tournament.

— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) March 24, 2015"

Vettori’s experience is also a much-prized asset. He has played 294 ODIs over an 18-year international career. In that time, his calmness under pressure, professionalism and attitude have stood out.

If New Zealand are bowling to defend a total, under the lights in front of a partisan crowd on Sunday, Vettori is the man captain McCullum will turn to.

Although the Melbourne venue seems to benefit the Australians, it will also suit Vettori’s style of bowling. The MCG has a large outfield, and it will take a sweet strike to generate pace and clear the boundary. The Kiwi fielders will know they are in the game.

Australia have scored heavily in the final 10 overs at this World Cup. If Vettori can take wickets in the middle overs, he could curtail one of the opposition’s biggest strengths.

Vettori has said it is “pretty obvious” that Sunday will be his last ODI for New Zealand, per the Daily Mail. His final ODI will be his 295th and most important to date. He could prove to be the match-winner in New Zealand’s first ever World Cup win.  

New Zealand have forever been portrayed as the underdogs, the dark horses or the outside bets. Their performances in this tournament have well and truly dispelled that myth. Inside a raucous MCG on Sunday, they will be a well-rounded team who, in the shape of Daniel Vettori, have an edge over their opponents.