Bye bye, Dan (and Dad)

The head of the Vettori household, Daniel Vettori, has announced his retirement from his family this week after seven years of marriage, in order to spend more quality time with the Black Caps. The announcement came as a shock to many fans of the Vettoris, who believed Daniel had at least several years of successful family life still ahead of him and would have helped them achieve a lot more in time to come.

"I just feel the time is right," Vettori said, speaking at a press conference on Monday. "Obviously with my family the way it is, I've had to spend a lot of time away from the New Zealand cricket team. Sometimes six or seven weeks go by when I haven't seen Ross Taylor slog-sweep a spinner straight to deep midwicket or Jeetan Patel being hit repeatedly to the boundary and I know it's been incredibly tough for them without their captain."

The capable husband, and father of two, claimed he was pleased overall on what he had been able to achieve with his family.

"There have been some great moments for us. Our wedding, the purchase of our first home, and of course the births of each of my children. But now the time is right to focus on what's really important in life and that's the New Zealand team. The Black Caps have always been very supportive of my family life and it's good to know that I can give them a little more of my time from now on."

Vettori stated, however, that his stint with his family had not been without its regrets.

"Obviously it would have been nice to see the kitchen fully renovated. But you can't have everything as a family man. I've worked really hard over the last few years to see [my family] built up to the stage it is now, and it feels good to walk out on a high just a couple of months after the birth of our second child."

Vettori's retirement will allow a younger father figure to emerge, with his wife's older brother being the most likely candidate to become a role model and provider for the children.

The Black Caps skipper was especially looking forward to being more involved in the day-to-day activities of his team.

"I don't want to miss those special things that every captain enjoys. It will be great to watch my 21-year-old, Tim Southee, grab his first ten-wicket haul, and see my 20-year-old, Kane Williamson, get a maiden ton. It will be a fantastic feeling."

The veteran spinner did not rule out returning to family life in an administrative or coaching role in the future, but claimed that he would spend a few months away from family in order to re-evaluate things.

"My family has given me a lot, and I think I would like the opportunity to give back to them eventually. Perhaps I can return in a purely advisory capacity. We'll just have to see."