FUTURE CERTAINTIES

DANIEL VETTORI

(1997–2015) A wonderkid whose parsimonious finger spinners were lethal in one-day cricket, even if they were a little short of world class by the highest test standards. Vettori is on a small scoreboard of very famous names, including Shane Warne, who notched 300 test wickets and 3000 runs. Just about the only Kiwi spinner to be trusted over the long haul, to the point that he became the captain. Vettori’s bowling guile found a parallel in his batting, where an ungainly style brought stunning results for a while.

Lips pursed, airborne, ball near the release point.

2010–) Off-the-charts numbers, including 50-plus test average, and 17 centuries. Will challenge Hadlee as our greatest cricketer. A no-fuss character, who makes it look so easy. Williamson is often exposed by inferior opening partnerships, but seems unaffected. Looks incapable of a career collapse, and could have another eight or so seasons to post the sort of numbers unheard of here.

The helmet age isn’t great for statues. One of his muted celebrations would capture the essence of the man.

2002–2016) The numbers do lie to an extent with McCullum. An enigma, he was the ultimate crowd pleaser, yet he could never win over the whole crowd.owd. His high 30s test average is decent nt especially considering he played ayed half his career as a wicketkeeper. eper. There are three double centuries uries of course, no small matter, a Kiwi wi record 302, and the fastest century ntury ever (54 balls v Australia). Beyond yond that, McCullum transformed cricket with his master blaster batting.ng He was a pied piper, leading players and fans through the gates of the promised land, even if there were plenty of naysayers. As captain he just about united a team, despite all the controversy. On his great batting days, there wasn’t a better sight in sport.

KANE WILLIAMSON ( Brendon McCullum ( CHRIS CAIRNS (

(1989–2006) 1989–2006) A swashbuckling hero who became a one man controversy reviled in certain quarters.quarters Test bowling average under 30, batting average just above, make him a genuine all-rounder. His ability to hit sixes was legendary. When Cairns strode out to bat, expectations went through the roof. Many feel he could have been even better and his window of excellence was all-too-brief. This and his off-field travails could make for a very tricky debate.

His signature shot, the big, straight six.

1995–2007) Possibly a longshot. Astle’s feet may not have moved too much, but the ball sure did when he was in top gear. His record-setting 153-ball double century against England in Christchurch pushes him into statue consideration, while he was for a long time the standard-bearer of New Zealand one-day batting. His one-day bowling class should not be forgotten, and he was a superb fielder.

NATHAN ASTLE (

Anything which relates to that amazing 222.