WELLINGTON, June 25: Former New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori, the world’s top-ranked limited overs bowler, announced on Saturday he is taking an indefinite break from the short game to prolong his Test career.

The 32-year-old, who is also ranked ninth among the world’s leading ODI all-rounders, said he may return in time for the 2015 World Cup but in the meantime he wants to focus on adding to his 105 Tests.

“My reason for taking a break from the shorter forms of the game is primarily so that I can preserve my body and continue to represent the Black Caps in Test cricket,” he said.

“I also believe a break now will give me the best possible chance to take up one-day cricket again in the next couple of years and, if all goes well, make the Black Caps World Cup team for 2015.”

Vettori, who has played 272 One-day Internationals and 28 Twenty Internationals, stepped down as New Zealand captain earlier this year when the side were beaten semi-finalists at the last World Cup.

Vettori’s target is to be only the second player behind India’s Kapil Dev to take 400 wickets and 4,000 runs. He already has 4,167 runs and 345 wickets.—AFP