Daniel Vettori warns against complacency

ESPNcricinfo staff

September 28, 2010

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	Daniel Vettori, refreshed after a break, is looking forward to playing cricket © AFP Enlarge
Related Links Players/Officials: Daniel Vettori Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup | New Zealand tour of Bangladesh Teams: New Zealand

Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand captain, has warned his side to guard against complacency during their upcoming ODI series in Bangladesh. New Zealand play five one-dayers in early October, before the tour to India, as part of their build-up to the 2011 World Cup.

New Zealand beat Bangladesh 3-0 during the ODI series in New Zealand in February, but Vettori believes Bangladesh will be a completely different proposition at home. "If we go over there expecting to walk over them like we did here, we'll be in for a bit of [a] fright," he told New Zealand Herald. "But if we respect them and hopefully play to our potential, then we should beat them."

Vettori returns to the 15-member squad, along with Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder, who missed the tri-series in Sri Lanka in July. There is also a fair amount of inexperience in the squad: six members have played less than 10 one-dayers and Hamish Bennett, the 23-year-old Canterbury fast bowler, has earned a call-up. Bennet bowls in the mid-140 kph range, and Vettori said his pace would come handy, should he prove himself at the international level. "Andy McKay has really stepped up as well, so we are trying to produce a group of guys who can bowl a bit quicker and see if they can succeed in subcontinent conditions looking towards the World Cup."

Vettori, who missed the Sri Lanka tri-series for the birth of his second child, said he felt refreshed after the break. "It's the longest time in my career that I've had away from cricket and it's been nice to be at home with my family and get reacquainted with everyone. I feel great and I'm looking forward to playing cricket again."

Vettori had said the tour of the subcontinent would give his team an advantage over other overseas sides during the World Cup early next year. New Zealand play five of their six World Cup league games in India, and the other in Sri Lanka, while the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur - the venue for the upcoming ODI series - will host two of the World Cup quarterfinals.

"We're going to play games over there during the World Cup and probably important games," Vettori said. "We want guys to feel pretty familiar, so when we turn up there on a short stay, World Cup time, they will know what to expect."

New Zealand play two warm-up games against a Bangladesh Board President's XI on October 1 and 2, ahead of the first one-dayer on October 5.