McKay's pace impresses Vettori

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has described rookie left-arm fast bowler Andy McKay as one of the quickest bowlers in the country and even put him on par with Shane Bond. McKay has taken two wickets in each of his two ODIs so far, and was particularly impressive in the second game against Bangladesh in Dunedin, conceding just 17 runs off his ten overs.

"He was definitely the quickest guy I faced in the HRV (Twenty20) Cup," Vettori told the New Zealand Herald. "We took a chance on him because of that pace. I think he does have it. I think he can be on a par with Shane Bond when he gets it right, and that makes a real difference when you step up to international level."

McKay made a late entry into the national side, at 29, after entering the first-class scene in 2002-03. He played five seasons for Auckland before shifting to Wellington in 2009-10. He was the joint leading wicket-taker in the one-day competition when the national selectors came calling.

McKay bowled to Vettori during a HRV Cup match between Wellington and Northern Districts in Mt Maunganui last month. He played them again at Basin Reserve, where he took three wickets. "I was looking to use my bouncer and hit the pitch and bat hard," McKay said.

McKay clocked 147 kph in the first ODI in Napier and he's targeting speeds of 150 and above. "I'd never been radared before," McKay said." I didn't see the radar so I wasn't sure how fast I was bowling. I had bowled quicker spells for Wellington than [the one] at Napier."

Meanwhile, New Zealand announced one change for the third ODI against Bangladesh in Christchurch on Thursday, bringing in the spin allrounder Nathan McCullum for seamer Daryl Tuffey, who is nursing a hamstring strain.