Brisbane Heat part ways with coach Vettori

BRISBANE : Big Bash League’s Brisbane Heat were on the lookout for a new coach on Saturday after former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori opted not to renew his contract. His decision came soon after Brendon Mccullum confirmed that this would be his last season playing for the Heat. Vettori has been coach since 2015 and will end his tenure when season finishes. Corrigendum: In a short story on February 9, it was erroneously mentioned that Brisbane Heat (158/0 in 10 ovs) had bettered the T20 record of Worcestershire (162/0 in 10 ovs). Heat’s is a Big Bash record but the world record still stands with Worcestershire. The error is regretted.

In a season of many firsts for India, Rohit Sharma and company will be aiming to become first to win a T20 International series in New Zealand when the two sides clash in the final match here on Sunday.

The past three months have made for a memorable phase for the India team, which won its first Test and bilateral ODI series in Australia followed by the biggest one-day series win in New Zealand.

A first T20 series victory in New Zealand will be the icing on the cake for the ‘Men in Blue’, who have exceeded expectations during their three-month trip to this part of the world.

With the series locked 1-1, there is everything to play for in the decider which promises to be a cracker of a contest on a ‘Super Sunday’ with a spicy Seddon Park pitch in the offing.

India will do well to remember the nightmare they endured during the fourth ODI at this venue where they were shot out for 92 in the wake of some quality swing bowling from Trent Boult.

However, Sunday will be a different day and there can’t be a bigger motivation than winning yet another series in challenging overseas conditions.

“We have played in Hamilton and there won’t be any surprise element as far as the pitch is concerned. Also, having won the second game gives us confidence going into the final match,” leftarm speedster Khaleel Ahmed had said after the series levelling win in the second T20 in Auckland, when asked about the Hamilton game.

LESSONS LEARNT

“We have rectified some of our mistakes from the first game and hopefully a few which are there will also be corrected,” Khaleel added.

India fielded the same side in the first two games and in all likelihood will maintain continuity unless there are some niggles.

In case the team management gives change a thought, it could be Kuldeep Yadav coming in place of Yuzvendra Chahal as the wrist spinner.

However, a look at India’s T20