Cheers Vettori!

One of New Zealand cricket's legends has finally brought down the curtain on his long and illustrious career.

Daniel Luca Vettori, who made his debut as a 19 year old for the national side in 1998, announced today that Sunday's Cricket World Cup Final in Melbourne was his last international match - and likely to be his last ever competitive cricket match; Vettori is set to become coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League.

Vettori, quite possibly the best offspinner ever produced in this country, and one of the best ever to play the game, had a terrific World Cup despite being out of the side for nearly 2 years, finishing in the top 10 of the wicket taking list and still playing a key role for the Blackcaps particularly against Australia.

Like Hadlee and Cairns before him, Vettori developed into a fine all-rounder particularly enhancing his runs tally when he took over from Stephen Fleming as captain after the 2007 World Cup.

His reign as captain was not without controversy, with critics saying that Vettori earned too much power by becoming coach, selector and captain all at once. His time as captain also coincided with one of New Zealand cricket's most fallow periods although that was probably down to senior players retiring and a lack of quality players replacing them.

But it wouldn't be fair to end this tribute on a sour note. Vettori's record in tests - 362 test wickets at an average of 34.36 and 6 tons, 4531 runs with average of 30.0 - warrants him being considered one of the game's greatest ever all-rounders, and his record in ODIs is even better.

But it's not his record that makes him great - it's his character and humility that earns him so much respect from his fans and contemporaries.

Thanks DL Vettori! You will be missed.