Sports
Vettori's performance key in determining WC final fate: Dhoni
Sydney, March 27
Indian captain Mahendra Singh
Dhoni has identified New Zealand's veteran spinner Daniel Vettori as the
key man on whose performance the outcome of the cricket World Cup final
against Australia will depend.
Dhoni on Thursday said it may be
the team with a specialist spinner who will win the World Cup.
Tournament co-hosts Australia take on New Zealand in a trans-Tasman
rivalry in the title round at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on
Sunday.
New Zealand were the first team to enter the final after
beating South Africa by four wickets in a thrilling encounter at the
Eden Park in Auckland Tuesday.
Australia thumped defending champions India by 95 runs in a comprehensive victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground here on Thursday.
"I
think (New Zealand left-arm spinner Daniel) Vettori's performance will
be crucial," Dhoni was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
Despite
Australia's impressive form in the build-up to the final, some experts
have identified the team's lack of a quality spinner as the only
weakness, which opponents could exploit.
However, Vettori is not
as fit as he used to be. His activity in recent years has been hampered
by a troublesome back and a sore finger.
The 36-year-old has left
his best years behind but would be keen to write the last chapter of a
long and illustrious career story on his own.
"He is somebody
who, in the middle overs, can really get wickets and he’s not someone
you can easily score off. So he will be the key factor," Dhoni said.
The
left-arm orthodox spinner has picked up 15 wickets in eight matches so
far. In 294 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Vettori has bagged 305
wickets.