Vettori to play more Tests than ODIs

With his desire to conserve energy in order to continue playing Tests, Daniel Vettori says he will cut down playing in the shorter format so he can preserve his body.

"My reason for taking a break from the shorter forms of the game is primarily so that I can preserve my body and continue to represent the New Zealand in Test cricket," Vettori said.
However, the former captain has not shut the door totally on ODIs.
He said: "I also believe a break now will give me the best possible chance to take up one-day cricket again in the next couple of years and, if all goes well, make the World Cup team for 2015."
Vettori is struggling with recurring knee problem. He injured his right knee for the first time during New Zealand's ICC Cricket World Cup game against Pakistan in March. He was forced to sit out for the remainder of his side's league games, before he managed to make a comeback in the quarter-final and semi-final matches. Vettori played with a hobble right through the IPL.
"Part of the break is around injuries and trying to stay a little bit fresher and I'll reassess the situation at the end of the contract year and go again from there," he told the Weekend Herald,
Vettori became the youngest man to play Test cricket for New Zealand when he was just 18. He is also a member of a select few who have managed the double of 300 Test wickets and 3000 runs.
Vettori has 345 Test wickets and there are signs that he may go Richard Hadlee's 431 dismissals. Only Stephen Fleming, with 111 games, has played more Tests for New Zealand.
New Zealand have a busy calender this summer. The Kiwis play Tests against Zimbabwe, Australia and South Africa and Vettori, who has suffered badly with back stress fractures, hopes to be fully-prepared for the itinerary.
"I want to play Tests as long as I can," he said. "That's the part of the game I've always loved. I want to be fully fit and prepared and ready to go for those, and sometimes lack of preparation can hinder your Test performance."
New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive, Justin Vaughan, said he respected Vettori's decision and was delighted to know he has kept his options open for the future. "Dan has been a great servant for a long time now and I believe this decision is not only in the his best interest but also for the Blackcaps," said Vaughan.

Vettori will resume playing first-class cricket for the Northern Districts and will also return to play for the Bangalore Royal Challengers in the IPL.
With offspinner Nathan McCullum and left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock having been chosen in the World Cup 2011 squad, Vettori said he would be "happy to fight" for a place in the national side, in the event that another spinner becomes worthy of staking his claim in the shorter versions.