DANIEL VETTORI has been appointed the first stand-alone coach of Brisbane Heat just days after announcing his retirement from playing international cricket.Vettori brought the curtain down on his glittering career with New Zealand this week, having played a starring role in helping the Black Caps to the World Cup final and he has wasted no time in deciding his next career move, penning a three-year deal to take charge of the Big Bash League side he had represented as a player since 2011.

The 36-year-old replaces Stuart Law, who resigned from the T20 franchise at the end of the most recent campaign after Brisbane finished last of the eight teams.
Vettori, who also coaches Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, said on the Heat’s official website: “It is a big job but one that I am excited about tackling.
“I found my initial experience as the coach of Bangalore in the IPL to be very rewarding last year and so I am grateful to them for allowing me this additional opportunity to develop my coaching skills and background.
“It has been a few big months for everyone with the World Cup but I am pleased to begin getting myself ready for what comes next.
“The Heat is well advanced with preparations and I thank the off-field team for their efficiency and effectiveness in moving things along. I’m look forward to getting to work with the Heat in a month or so and building towards the next season and beyond.”
Vettori, who played 112 Tests, 295 one-day internationals and 34 Twenty20 internationals, will be having nothing to do with state side Queensland Bulls in the Sheffield Shield or One-Day Cup.
Queensland Cricket High-Performance manager Brett Jones said: “We’re delighted to have Dan back with us, considering it is a relationship that goes back more than five years ago to the original Big Bash when he played for Queensland.
“We have welcomed his input on and off the field in those ensuing years and look forward to his taking the Heat forward, and continuing to create great experiences for our fans at our matches.” (PA SPORT)