Vettori has to prove himself as captain: Crowe

Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, has launched a stinging attack on the current leadership of New Zealand cricket. Unimpressed by Daniel Vettori's captaincy Crowe, arguably his country's greatest batsman ever, says it's high time the left-arm spinner showed why he was selected to lead in place of Stephen Fleming.

"Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum and Scott Styris have all got to put their big money where their busy mouths are - Vettori in particular,'' Crowe told stuff.co.nz. "He [Vettori] has to get up to speed ASAP and remind us every day why the selectors felt he's a better option than Fleming.

After inspiring New Zealand to the semi-finals of the ICC World Twenty20, Vettori has had a torrid time at the helm, his side losing both the Test and ODI series away in South Africa, and relinquishing the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy after a 2-0 loss to Australia.

Crowe also targeted coach John Bracewell, though he suggested that criticism needs to focus on the players as Bracewell, with renewed backing from the New Zealand board, is not going anywhere.

Crowe had called for Bracewell to step down right after the World Cup in April, following New Zealand's exit at the semi-final stage. He now says that he is tired of Bracewell's astounding interviews and selections during the short tour to Australia. "Braces this, Braces that - I'm sick of the talk and the headlines about the coach which have dominated for weeks and weeks,'' he said. "When I was asked what I thought after we lost the World Cup semi, I said 'it's time for a change to keep evolving' but now we need to forget it."

"(NZ Cricket CEO) Justin Vaughan has made his call - his first big one. So have the players. Braces is very lucky to have two years to show NZ he can coach. Not be a smart arse, but be a very good coach.

"During the winter all but one player wanted Braces to continue, so the onus is now on them.

"They are the ones under pressure. They have what they wanted so now it's all their heads on the line, series in-series out. Braces isn't going anywhere I promise you.''

Bracewell was handed a two-year extension in July this year, and has been in charge of the side since 2003. And despite the recent losses against South Africa and Australia, Vaughan believes the right man is in charge.

"He's under no more pressure than when he started [four years ago]," Vaughan told the Dominion Post. "But we've just played two difficult sides. The results were disappointing but we expect that to improve now. He's got two home series against Bangladesh and England now, which we should win."