Daniel Vettori gets Spirit of Cricket Award
Former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori has won the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award for the Year. His sporting gestures against Zimbabwe earned him this pride.
In only Test against Zimbabwe in November last year in Bulwayo, Zimbabwe were needed 64 runs with five wickets in hand to win the record a historical victory over Blackcaps. Regis Chakabva lofted a ball from left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori towards mid-on, however, during his follow through Vettori proceeded to get in the way of Malcolm Waller at the non-striker’s end, averting the batsman to complete a run.
Vettori right away held up his hand to gloveman Reece Young to denote there had been a conflict, unintentionally which hold back the non-striker. Chakabva scampered towards the striker’s end but he was too late as Young had nettled his bails. However, Kiwis opted not to appeal due to Vettori’s acceptance of hindering in Waller’s way.
“It was the right thing to do at the time and we as a team try and play with the right spirit of cricket,” said Daniel Vettori, who defeated Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez and the South African duo Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers to clinch the prestigious award.
“It’s hard to define the spirit of cricket, but go out on the field with the general mindset to play the game in the right way and always in the right frame of mind,” added the 34-year-old.
India skipper MS Dhoni had taken the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award last year.
