Vettori declines NZC contract

Injury-plagued New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori announced he will be sidelined for at least six months but refused to call time on an international career stretching back 16 years.

Vettori said he had informed New Zealand Cricket he could not accept a Black Caps’ contract for the upcoming season as he knew much of the year would be spent in rehabilitation after an ankle operation.

“I feel that with my present injury situation it would be wrong for me to take a retainer contract,” he said.

“Given the time I’ll need to spend out of the game with my recovery and the level of uncertainty about when I may play again, it doesn’t feel right that I take up a retainer contract this year.”