Bond wants Vettori to quit selector role for his own and team’s good

WELLINGTON - Former pacer Shane Bond wants New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori to step down as selector of the cricket team for his own good and that of the team.

Bond sees the current hierarchy as flawed, and doubts any changes will happen before the World Cup in February.

“I think there is definitely room for improvement. I’d like, from Dan’s point of view, to have some strain taken off him. Especially selecting, it would be nice to see that change,” Bond said.

“They’ve gone down a path and rightly or wrongly, with the World Cup coming up, you’ve got to stick with it rather than make wholesale changes. The proof will be in what happens in the next few months. Whether I agree with it or not, I hope the guys go well and hope they win,” Stuff.co.nz quoted him, as saying.

Vettori, coach Mark Greatbatch, former captain and coach Glenn Turner make up the current selection panel, with vice-captain Ross Taylor also an on-tour selector.

The system was reviewed by NZ Cricket after the 4-0 defeat in Bangladesh but continued for India, where the test side has competed strongly.

Bond felt Vettori was carrying the load for the good of the team, but added it may be affecting the skipper.

“I think he will review it. Knowing Dan, he’s a true professional and a lead-from-the-front sort of guy. He’s saying, ‘If I do it, I think I’ll do it properly,’ and you’ve got to admire that.

“The difficult thing is you are caught up in the emotion of the team and you’re not seeing guys who are playing elsewhere. It’s the balance that makes it difficult,” Bond said.

The problem with the current setup was highlighted this week, with a full round of Plunket Shield and Turner the only selector in the country. (ANI)