Abu Dhabi: Daniel Vettori, New Zealand’s former skipper and ace spinner, became the latest player to sign for the Masters Champions League (MCL) to be held here in February next year.
“I am looking forward to going into battle once again with all peers and colleagues of my era,” said Vettori, who retired from international cricket at the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in March this year.
He joins a celebrated list of legends such as Adam Gilchrist, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis and Wasim Akram who have confirmed their availability for the tournament.
“It will indeed be a thrilling moment to relive those exciting moments from our battles in the past. I cannot wait for the tournament to start so that we can rekindle those fond memories,” said the 36-year-old, who has figured in 113 Tests and 295 ODIs, alongside 34 T20 Internationals in his career. Vettori has picked 362 Test wickets, 305 ODI and 38 T20 international wickets during his 18-year-long career.
He has also played 136 Twenty20 matches in his overall career, picking up 127 wickets at an economy rate of 6.36 and an average of 25.64.
Vettori currently coaches Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL), while he is still an active player for Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
“It is yet another feather in our cap as we now have one more legend of the modern game like Daniel join us. His presence on the field always added value for the New Zealand side in his glittering career. I’m sure prospective team owners and stakeholders will be keen to lap up Daniel’s inputs for their sides. Daniel’s presence confirms the growing interest in the tournament from our legends,” said Zafar Shah, chairman, MCL.
Vettori will know about his possible teammates for the tournament on the registration for the tournament which ends on July 15. The tournament’s inaugural edition will see six teams with a 15-member squad each — making a total of 90 players — battle it out at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Shaikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The interested players can sign up via the official website of MCL, www.mcl2020.com.
