DANIEL Luca VETTORI (Northern Districts). 19 years. Born Auckland 27 January 1979. Left-hand bat and left-arm slow. Wears glasses. First tour of Sri Lanka. In 2 Tests against Sri Lanka has scored 11 runs (avg. 3.66) with a highest score of 6 (Hamilton) 1996-97 and taken 11 wickets (avg. 20.09) with 5/84 (Hamilton) 1996-97 as best, 5wInns 1, 1 catch. In his only one-day international appearance against Sri Lanka (Christchurch) 1996-97 scored 4 runs and had figures of none for 21, E/R 10.50.
A sensational selection when he appeared in Test cricket after only two first-class games in 1996-97 becoming New Zealand's youngest ever Test player at the age of 18 years, 10 days when he made his debut v England (Wellington). Played with remarkable confidence against England and Sri Lanka touring teams taking 18 wickets (avg. 23.83) in his first 4 Tests. His match figures of 9/130 v Sri Lanka on his home ground at Hamilton gave New Zealand a 2-0 win in the series and brought him the 'Man of the Match' award. Became second youngest Test bowler to claim five wickets in an innings when he took 5/84 in the Test at the age of 18 years, 50 days, the youngest being Pakistani Nasimul Ghani who was 16 years, 307 days. Topped the batting and bowling averages in his debut series v England - a unique feat for a teenage debutant. Bowls with a good loop and remarkable accuracy for one so young. A born cricketer, he bowls stock left-arm leg-spinners with great control. Can drift the ball and disguise his arm ball so that the best batsmen are left guessing. Has sacrificed a university degree to concentrate on cricket. Highly competitive in the field, he can also bat with skill and poise in the lower order as he proved in the second Test v Zimbabwe (Bulawayo) 1997-98 when he made a career best 90. Also became New Zealand's youngest ever one-day international player when he made his debut v Sri Lanka (Christchurch) 1996-97 at the age of 18 years, 58 days.
Test Career Record: Debut v England (Wellington) 1996-97. Batting Tests 11, Innings 18, Not Outs 4, Highest Score 90 v Zimbabwe (Bulawayo) 1997-98, Runs 230, Average 16.42, Hundreds 0, Fifty 1, Bowling - Runs 1214, Wickets 35, Average 34.68, Best 5/84 v Sri Lanka (Hamilton) 1996-97, 5wInns 1, 10wM 0, S/R 81, Fielding - 5 catches.
One-day International Career Record: Debut v Sri Lanka (Christchurch) 1996-97. Batting - Matches 20, Innings 12, Not Outs 5, Highest Score 25 (n.o.) v South Africa (Hobart) 1997-98, Runs 122, Average 17.42, Hundreds 0, Fifties 0, Bowling - Runs 656, Wickets 19, Average 34.52, Best 4/49 v Zimbabwe (Hamilton) 1997-98, 5wInns 0, E/R 4.78, Fielding - 9 catches.
First-class Career Record: Debut 1996-97. In 12 matches has scored 244 runs (avg. 15.25) with a highest score of 90 (as above) and taken 48 wickets (avg. 28.12) with 5/61 for Northern Districts v Central Districts (Nelson) 1996-97 as best, 5wInns 3, 10wM 0, 5 catches.
PAUL WISEMAN
PAUL John WISEMAN (Otago). 28 years. Born Auckland 4 May 1970. Right-hand bat and off-breaks. First tour of Sri Lanka. No previous Test or one-day international experience against Sri Lanka.
The retirement of Dipak Patel paved the way for him to come into the ranks as the next off-spinner. Learned his cricket in Auckland under former New Zealand off-spinner John Bracewell. Made steady progress as a stock off-spinner after moving to Otago, where he received more opportunities. Improved dramatically in recent seasons becoming the province's leading bowler in 1995-96 with 23 wickets (avg. 25.52) - a figure he improved vastly on in 1996-97 by taking 40 wickets (avg. 24.20), which included a career best 8/66 v Wellington (Wellington). Turns the ball considerably and has learned the guile of flight and line while keeping a steady attack just outside off-stump. Also a dependable bat. Made one-day international debut in last month's Coca Cola 3-nation tournament in Sharjah and is hoping to break into the Test circuit on the Sri Lanka tour.
No Tests.
One-day International Career Record: Debut v India (Sharjah) 1997-98. Batting - Matches 2 (did not bat in both matches), Bowling - Runs 31, Wicket 1, Average 31.00, Best 1/31 v Australia (Sharjah) 1997-98, 5wInns 0, E/R 5.16, Fielding - 1 catch.
First-class Career Record: Debut 1991-92. In 30 matches has scored 601 runs (avg. 14.30) with a highest score of 77 for Otago v Central Districts (Napier) 1995-96 and taking 87 wickets (avg. 31.50) with 8/66 for Otago v Wellington (Wellington) 1996-97 as best, 5wInns 5, 10wM 1, 21 catches.
BRYAN YOUNG
BRYAN Andrew YOUNG (Northern Districts). 33 years. Born Whangarei 3 November 1964. Right-hand bat. Also keeps wickets. First tour of Sri Lanka. In 4 Tests against Sri Lanka has scored 433 runs (avg. 86.60) with 2 fifties and a career best double century (267 not out) at Dunedin, 1996-97. A fine slip fieldsman has also held 10 catches. In the abbreviated version of the game, his record against Sri Lanka is not that impressive scoring 138 runs (avg. 17.25) from 9 matches, with a highest score of 34 (Sharjah) 1993-94 and 4 catches.
One of New Zealand's most senior cricketers, he is also one of the country's gutsiest. Originally a wicket-keeper, he gave up the gloves five years ago to concentrate on opening the batting. Pugnacious and combative, he is not the most fluent of stroke makers. However, his ability to accumulate runs has made him a valuable member of both Test and one-day sides. After being dropped from the side, he reached the zenith of his career when he batted for almost two days for a match-winning double century against Sri Lanka at Dunedin in 1996-97. His innings of 267 not out was the highest ever score by a New Zealand opener and the second highest for New Zealand after Martin Crowe's 299 against Sri Lanka (Wellington) 1990-91. It comprised 37 fours - the most made by a New Zealand batsman in a Test innings, and lasted 605 minutes and 421 balls, enabling New Zealand to reach their second highest total in Test cricket - 586 for 7 declared. Their highest total is also against Sri Lanka - 671 for 4 (Wellington) 1990-91. He is classed as New Zealand's best backfoot player.
Test Career Record: Debut v Australia (Brisbane 1993-94 scoring 38 & 53. Batting - Tests 30, Innings 58, Not Outs 3, Highest Score 267 (n.o.) v Sri Lanka (Dunedin) 1996-97, Runs 1830, Average 33.27, Hundreds 2, Fifties 11, No bowling, Fielding 48 catches.
One-day International Career Record: Debut v Australia (Melbourne) 1990-91. Batting - Matches 65, Innings 64, Not Outs 4, Highest Score 74 v South Africa (Hobart) 1993-94, Runs 1424, Average 23.73, Hundreds 0, Fifties 6, No bowling, Fielding - 27 catches.
First-class Career Record: Debut 1983-84. In 135 matches has scored 6640 runs (avg. 35.50) with 9 hundreds, highest score 267 (n.o.) as above, 1 wicket (avg. 76.00), 268 dismissals (257 ct, 11 st).
STEVE RIXON (Coach)
STEPHEN 'STEVE' John RIXON. 43 years, Born Albury, New South Wales 25 February 1954. Coach. First tour of Sri Lanka.
The former Australian wicket-keeper was head-hunted in August 1996 after taking New South Wales into five Sheffield Shield finals. His man management skills and innovative coaching techniques have gone down well with the team. The majority of New Zealand public (82%) according to a newspaper poll were opposed to his appointment as national coach. Much of this because he was an Australian. However, current results suggest that he is right up there with successful coaches like England's Bob Woolmer for South Africa and Australian Dav Whatmore for Sri Lanka. Had his contract extended by New Zealand Cricket in April this year till the 1999 World Cup in England. His present contract was due to expire at the end of the Sri Lankan tour. Although the expected results have not been forthcoming, given the selectorial role, has combined the side with a mix of youth and experience. ``Team unity and harmony has got to a point now where it can only go forward,'' he said, shortly after his contract was extended. Has set the team high goals like winning the next World Cup in England.
Played 13 Tests for Australia between 1977 and 1985 scoring 394 runs (avg. 18.76) with 2 fifties, highest score 54 v West Indies (Georgetown) 1977-78, 47 dismissals (42 ct, 5 st). In 6 one-day internationals for Australia scored 40 runs (avg. 17.33) and had 11 dismissals (9 ct, 2st). Note: All first-class career records are upto end of 1996-97 New Zealand season.