'If the chance came I would grab it' - Vettori

Offering his services to a top order currently in woeful form, Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand spinner, says that he is ready to open the innings in the one-day format of the game.

Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle, Hamish Marshall and Scott Styris all struggled for runs as New Zealand fell 0-4 to a South African side brimming with confidence in the one-day series in South Africa recently. New Zealand are set to play the three-match Chappell-Hadlee series against Australia, beginning at Eden Park in Auckland on December 3, and their batting form is definitely a cause for concern.

Speaking to the website stuff.co.nz. Vettori said he would be happy to open alongside Astle if given the nod. "If the chance came I would grab it," he said. "If I got a chance I could apply the things which worked for me with ND [Northern Districts] last season. I think I'm better prepared now." Vettori's belligerent batting at the top of the order played a large part in Northern Districts' State Shield triumph last season.

The left-hander bludgeoned his way to two centuries at an average of 60.60, second only to Astle. While he has been tried at the top of the order before for New Zealand without success, opening on three occasions, Vettori believes he is now a better player -- a consequence of playing straighter and being more patient. His batting has improved over the past few seasons - he hit a fine 83 from 77 balls against Australia earlier this year - and has two Test centuries to his name as well, an unbeaten 137 against Pakistan, and a 98-ball 127 against Zimbabwe.

New Zealand's poor showing in South Africa has seen them fall to sixth in the world one-day ratings, and Vettori considers the upcoming series vital to his side's fortunes. "With the way our ranking has slipped, Australia and Sri Lanka will be a huge series. If we beat Australia everything will be forgiven but we'll have to perform exceptionally well against them and Sri Lanka."