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PM Key’s ‘special’ request to both teams

Special Correspondent

— PHOTO: AFP

WELCOME: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key (left) exchanges pleasantries with M.S. Dhoni as Governor General Anand Satyanand looks on.

Wellington: The New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, had a request for the Indian and New Zealand cricket teams when he met them at an official reception in the Parliament Buildings, here on Thursday.

“I have a 13-year-old son Max, who is the cricket follower in our household,” Mr. Key told the teams.

“These tight late games are playing havoc with the schedule in our house because every time I return from a function late in the night, my son is watching cricket. So these tight finishes have made for some sleepless nights in our household.

“I told him that I was going to meet the cricketers from the Indian and New Zealand teams and he gave me a list of names from both sides whose autographs he wanted. So M.S. (Dhoni) and Daniel (Vettori), if I come up and ask for some autographs, it is not for me, it is for my son Max.”

Dhoni assured Mr. Key that he and Vettori “will talk to our respective teams and tell them not to take the game till the last over or the last few overs so that we can take a bit of tension away from you.”

The Indian captain said: “In the last 10 days that we have spent over here, we have found out whatever we have heard about New Zealand, it is exactly the same. It is a beautiful country and has wonderful people and tough cricket, of course.

“We as the Indian cricket team, acknowledge the fact that we are here to entertain you throughout this summer. Hopefully, we will make your good summer even better.”

‘Very excited’

Vettori said his players were “very excited at the opportunity to be at the beehive, but more so because we all got new suits today.”

The events in Pakistan meant a serious note was struck amidst the good cheer.

“Talking about the attacks on the Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, I would like to say quite simply it was a despicable act and the Government, like everyone, was shocked and condemns what took place,” said Mr. Key.

“It must be very upsetting for many of the players who are here this evening. Our hearts go out to the players and to the families of those who were killed in the attacks. It is the intention of the New Zealand Government to send a message to the Sri Lankan cricket team.

“Also, cricket is the most gentlemanly of sports and when you start seeing international terrorism moving into the field of attacks on international teams, you know the world is taking a very unsafe step and one that we must all stand up and condemn.”

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