Kiwi all-rounder Styris expects senior players to step up against Pakistan

DUBAI - Veteran New Zealand cricket all rounder Scott Styris is expecting senior Black Cap players to step up and take the load off skipper and acting coach Daniel Vettori.

New Zealand has arrived in Dubai to prepare for their three-match one-day cricket series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi next week without a coach, following Andy Moles’ resignation last week.

Moles walked away after an internal review of the team’s performance revealed senior players were unhappy with their progress under the English coach.

Vettori has consequently added coaching duties to his list of responsibilities, and Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam has sniffed a potential weakness.

Alam told the cricinfo website today that Vettori faced an enormous job both coaching and captaining New Zealand.

“From where I see it, it is very important for an international cricket team to have a full-time coach,” he said.

Styris, however, had no doubt that, with the support of senior players, Vettori could manage his roles as captain, coach and leading all rounder.

Filling the void as coach adds to the responsibilities for Vettori, who is a key contributor with both bat and ball.

Still in the New Zealand camp are assistant coaches, Mark O’Donnell and Shane Jurgensen, while manager Dave Currie has an enhanced role in the team set-up. (ANI)