New Zealand sweat on Vettori

Skipper suffered right knee injury during Pakistan victory

Last updated: 8th March 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

New Zealand sweat on Vettori

Knee injury: Vettori is helped to his feet but soon left the field

Hopefully it's just a bit of jarring. He's key to our team and we need him for the rest of the tournament.

Ross Taylor on Daniel Vettori
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New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori limped out of his side's 110-run success over Pakistan after injuring his right knee.

Vettori fell awkwardly while diving forward in an unsuccessful attempt to catch Kamran Akmal's spooned drive in the sixth over of Pakistan's pursuit of a victory target of 303 in Pallekele.

He was helped to his feet and continued for two further balls before going off to receive ice treatment on the knee.

"We'll see how Danny is over the next few days," said Vettori's vice-captain Ross Taylor, who had earlier scored 131 not out.

"Hopefully it's just a bit of jarring. He's key to our team and we need him for the rest of the tournament."

New Zealand team media manager Ellery Tappin added: "His injury is being assessed and at the moment we can't comment further."

Victory over Pakistan moved the Black Caps top of Group A and they are next in action against Canada in Mumbai n March 13.

Birthday present

Tim Southee picked up 3-25 as Pakistan were bowled out for 192 in reply and Taylor credited his bowlers - Kyle Mills, Nathan McCullum and Scott Styris each took two wickets - for the "pleasing result" that gave him a 27th birthday to remember.

"To have them six down after 20 overs was a credit for the bowlers," said Taylor, who was given two lives by Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal early in his career-best innings.

"I had a bit of luck early on, even when I was at 30 or 40, but the way Nathan McCullum and Jake (Oram) came out and hit showed me the way to play.

"In the end we had a pleasing result."

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, meanwhile, regretted his side's failure in all departments of the game and hoped for a better performance in the remaining matches.

No excuse

"I have no excuse," Afridi said, adding: "We didn't bowl well, we didn't field well. You can win games based on fielding.

"But I am confident in my team and myself. We will not repeat this performance. We should learn from what we did in this game."

On Taylor's innings, Afridi said. "Taylor played a great knock. But if you give chances this is bound to happen."

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