Vettori ready for South Africa challenge

Daniel Vettori is confident New Zealand have the personnel to push for their first Test series win in South Africa when the two sides meet next month. New Zealand have arrived in Bloemfontein for their opening warm-up match, a four-day encounter against a South African Invitation XI starting on Thursday.

Vettori said the lack of injuries and the quality of their pace attack were two keys to New Zealand's chances in the two-Test series. "We've got all the squad to pick from, which is quite a rarity, and we're very much looking forward to the first game," Vettori told NZPA.

"It'll be great to get outdoors and Bloemfontein's a good place to be. It has a good wicket and it's a pure cricket ground. We have a good group of fast bowlers over here, with Shane Bond and Chris Martin, who has excelled in particular against South Africa in the past.

"Batting-wise, we have everyone we would have wanted except for Peter Fulton [who stayed at home with a knee injury]. We need good platforms and all the batsmen have a feel for what they need to do."

John Bracewell, New Zealand's coach, said South Africa would be buoyant after their Test win in Pakistan and although New Zealand could be rusty following their off-season, the squad had prepared well. "We need to take 20 wickets as quickly as possible and I believe we have the bowling attack to do that," Bracewell said.

"I'm confident we have the attack for all types of conditions. We've done our homework on pitches this time of year which is why we've brought a whole contingent of fast bowlers with us. We have spin back-up in Jeetan Patel, but we are likely to play just one spinner."

The chance to play two four-day practice matches will give the side a solid workout ahead of the first Test in Johannesburg starting on November 8. That match will not only mark Vettori's debut as Test captain but also Stephen Fleming's first game without the captaincy in a decade. Fleming has been away from the national squad since the World Cup, playing county cricket and missing selection for the ICC World Twenty20.