10 Interesting Facts About Daniel Vettori

The spectacled spinsation from New Zealand, Daniel Vettori was born on January 27, 1979 at Auckland. Vettori featured in 442 International matches and contributed with both bat (left handed) and ball (slow left arm).

He scored 4531 runs in Test cricket at an average of 30.00 and picked 362 wickets. He scored 2253 ODI runs and snapped 305 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 4.12. In T20 Internationals he has an economy rate of 5.70 – picking 38 wickets in 34 matches at an average of 19.68.

He led New Zealand in all 3 formats of the game.

Here are some of the interesting facts on Daniel Vettori.

10. Italian Descent

Daniel Vettori is the first ever New Zealand cricketer of Italian descent. He has a father of Italian descent and his mother is a New Zealander.

9. Ambidextrous

Vettori can bat and bowl both right handed and left handed. This fact was confirmed by TV personality and Vettori’s school mate at St Paul’s XI – Jeremy Wells.

8. The Youngest New Zealand Cricketer

At the age of 18, Daniel Vettori became the youngest Test and ODI Cricketer for New Zealand. He made his debut in the year 1997. Nasser Hussain was his maiden Test wicket while Grant Flower was his first ever ODI wicket.

7. The Youngest To 100 Test Wickets

In the year 2000, when Daniel Vettori bowled out Damien Martyn for 36 at Eden Park, Auckland – he became the youngest spinner to pick 100 Test wickets at the age of 21.

6. First Left Arm Spinner to 300 Test Wickets

In August 2009, Vettori became the first left arm spinner to pick 300 Test scalps. Ranganna Herath who was playing the same Test at Colombo followed suit.

5. Five World Cup editions

Daniel Vettori featured in New Zealand cricket team in 5 World Cup editions from 1999-2015. He has taken 36 wickets at an economy rate of 4.14. He was a part of the Team of the Tournament for the ICC World Cup 2015 edition. His bowling was instrumental for New Zealand entering the finals – He picked 15 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 20.50.

He also represented New Zealand in 4 T20 World Cups spanning from 2007 to 2012.

4. Most Test Runs by a No.8 batsman

Vettori scored 2227 runs in Test Cricket batting at No.8 position. It is the most runs scored by any batsman in that slot. He averaged 39.76 with 4 centuries and 13 half centuries in that position – including his career highest score of 140.

3. Cousin of Rugby Union Player

Vettori is the cousin of David Hill – who was a rugby Union player. Hill also represented the All Blacks in 1 Rugby Test match.

2. Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit

In 2011 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Vettori was made the Officer of the New Zealand order of merit for his services to cricket.

1. Harry Potter

Daniel Vettori is nick named the Harry Potter for his spectacled look and floppy hair. In an interview to NZ Herald he confirmed why he prefers spectacles over contact lenses – “I’ve worn glasses since I was about three years old. I’m accustomed to them and they don’t bother me”, said Vettori.

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