Vettori gets backing of predecessor Reid

John Reid, the former New Zealand captain, has backed the decision to elevate current captain Daniel Vettori to the national selection panel. Last week, Vettori - and coach Andy Moles - was formally appointed to the four-man selection panel, comprising Glenn Turner (chairman) and Mark Greatbatch, to carry out a dual role last performed by Reid in the 1950s.

"He's got my full blessing, without doubt," Reid told the New Zealand Herald. "You can't captain a side if you haven't got confidence in the players, and you've got to have a say in the players."

Reid captained an inexperienced team in England in 1958 that lost the series 4-0. On returning home, Reid decided that he too wanted a voice on selection matters.

"I wanted to be a selector because I wanted to have some control in the team I was going to captain," Reid said. "Certainly to talk [with the selectors] about tactics and have a say in implementing them off the field, so I could use them on the field."

Reid captained New Zealand in 34 Tests between 1956 and 1965, winning three and losing 18 games. However, he is best remembered for being a dynamic batsman, suited for the one-day game, and an agile fielder.