Why the rush to get Daniel Vettori back into international cricket?

Since CLEAR Black Caps coach David Trist uttered the fateful words at the press conference after New Zealand's loss to Zimbabwe at Eden Park on Sunday, there has been all manner of speculation that Vettori could be back playing soon, possibly against Sri Lanka, and probably against Pakistan.

Daniel Vettori Photo Paul McGregor

Trist said New Zealand missed a bowler like Vettori at vital stages of Sunday's loss.

Fair enough, but they also missed Chris Cairns during the middle stages of the innings, and they missed Geoff Allott bowling at the death. They could also have done with Dion Nash's aggression for good measure.

But the point is they are not there. In each case the reason is the same.

They have been allowed to come back too soon after injury and have done themselves more injuries.

Vettori, if you remember, was sent to Zimbabwe and promptly asked to bowl a man-sized 52 overs in the first Test. That was the end of his tour.

The tour was his first outing since crying off with his back injury in March. He was sent on the basis of his being fit.

More tests after he returned home showed his original problem hadn't been diagnosed.

He had six months of "recovery" before he was sent to Africa.

Since coming home from Africa he is four months into "recovery". He is gingerly entering into playing cricket again. A few overs here, a few overs there and a fair amount of batting.

However, in all the disappointment after Sunday's loss, it is too easy to say Vettori might have made a difference.

There is no doubt he would have made a difference.

He would also make a difference were he to bowl against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

But take a look at the longer picture.

New Zealand tour Australia next year. Then England tour here.

That's a pretty big summer in anyone's language. Surely leaving Vettori to be assuredly fit for those series is far better than tossing him back into the fray again before his back is ready for the exertions that will most assuredly be forced on it.

This is an athlete with the potential to play for New Zealand for another 15 years or, if handled improperly, for one more match.

Vettori himself is probably suffering a huge dose of cabin fever. That's the lot of the sportsmen suffering injury. Of course, he can't wait to get back.

However, the lessons of New Zealand's medical problems in recent history surely require the absolute minimum of risk-taking with key players.

Putting Vettori back into action too soon carries with it tremendous danger. He is a national cricketing asset and he must be treated as such.

Would it really hurt New Zealand if he was to be left out of the picture, at least until New Zealand is to tour Pakistan before going to Australia next summer?

At least he would have had nearly 12 months to get over his back injury, and that is a lot healthier, and a lot less risky, than tipping him back into action before he has had six months of recovery.

In terms of New Zealand's cricket history, Vettori is a freak. He's in the same category to spin bowling as Sir Richard Hadlee was to fast-medium bowling.

Potentially a once-in-a-lifetime player. New Zealand Cricket must ensure that every effort is taken to ensure that Vettori gets to make a lifetime contribution - not some short cut method to provide instant gratification for a team down on its luck.

Surely the lessons of the past will be learned and due patience shown!

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