Vettori firm on quitting captaincy after World Cup

WELLINGTON - New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori Monday reaffirmed that he would step down from the post after the 2011 cricket World Cup.

Vettori, who has opted out of the ongoing T20 Internationals against Pakistan for resting his back, said he would stand by his decision irrespective of the team’s performance in the tournament co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

“I still stand by those words of finishing up after the World Cup,” Vettori was quoted as saying by the New Zealand Herald.

“I understand things can change and there may be a chance for that, but at this point I will finish after the cup.”

New Zealand have been struggling for form and most recently had disastrous tours of India and Bangladesh. The slump in form also led to John Wright taking over as the coach from Mark Greatbatch last Monday.

Vettori and team mate Ross Taylor were all praise for the new coach.

“His real skills are getting around players and making them feel confident,” Vettori said.

“After that many losses (11 straight ODI defeats) guys tend to question their game, but he is a positive guy and that will rub off on the players.”

Taylor talked about Wright’s ethos.

“That is the first thing he has instilled in us,” Taylor said.

“Every time he talks, it is that if we play as a collective we give ourselves the best chance. He is trying to get everyone to trust himself.”