Vettori says New Zealand need to look at positives ahead of test series against Proteas

Wellington, Mar 6(ANI): Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has said though South Africa is on their way to the World No 1 ranking but if the Black Caps treat them like that the upcoming Test series is as good as lost.

He added that New Zealand needed to look to other more positive results for inspiration and pointed out that his side had defeated Australia in Hobart last year and carried that into the one-off Zimbabwe series.

"Yep, there's that series and some more recent ones against some good teams. The Australian series, the Pakistan series [last summer] where we played well, and we always play pretty well at home, so I think we take a lot of confidence from that," stuff.co.nz quoted him, as saying.

His statement came after he was included in the squad for the upcoming series.

Coach John Wright had hinted that Canterbury's Andrew Ellis could be preferred as the all-rounder as he offered more depth to the batting lineup but Vettori said the plan was to stick to what worked for them in Hobart and Napier.

"I think, from all the talk that we'll probably stick with the team that's done well in the past in terms of the four seamers," he said.

Meanwhile, Central Districts wicketkeeper-batsman Kruger van Wyk joined the Black Caps and will replace BJ Watling if he is ruled out due to the hip irritation. (ANI)