Kiwi skipper insists Scots can only polish up by taking on world's best

KIWI skipper Daniel Vettori insists Scotland need more chances to upset world cricket's elite.

Vettori helped send the Saltires spinning to a humbling eight-wicket defeat as the Black Caps ended their UK tour on a high at Mannofield, Aberdeen.

But, despite the total mis-match on the day and Tuesday's even bigger Tri-Series win against Ireland, the New Zealand star reckons ICC bosses should continue exposing the game's minnows to the big boys.

Vettori declared: "Scotland showed that they have some good players but they need to meet the full Test countries on a regular basis. The associate countries need eleven top-quality players in their ranks as opposed to four or five.

"I know neither Scotland nor Ireland were at full strength and availability is another thing that has to be looked at.

"But the Scots have to work on the team dynamic and getting their best players together to hopefully play the full ICC members as often as possible.

"The schedules are busy for all the Test countries but I'm glad New Zealand were able to come up to Aberdeen for this tournament.

"If teams like Scotland and Ireland don't get the chance to play the top sides then they are never going to improve."

Vettori was also honest enough to admit that, by winning the toss, he virtually killed off any chance of the Scots claiming their first-ever Test scalp.

The left-arm spinner had no hesitation in giving his seam bowlers first use of hugely helpful conditions at a misty and moist Mannofield. Mark Gillespie took advantage by dismissing openers Ryan Watson and Gavin Hamilton within the first three overs.

Then Jacob Oram and Grant Elliott claimed three wickets apiece as Scotland were skittled for just 101 in 33.2 overs.

Qasim Shiekh top-scored with a modest but fighting 18 after taking 21 deliveries to notch his first run.

And former Middlesex youngster Gordon Goudie also emerged with credit by a hitting a plucky unbeaten 17 including the only six of the innings off Vettori's bowling.

John Blain struck in the first over to trap Peter Fulton in front while Dewald Nel removed the dangerous Brendon McCullum whose century had torn Ireland apart on Tuesday.

But Ross Taylor produced the fireworks on this occasion with a blistering unbeaten 61 including three sixes and eight fours as the Black Caps raced to their target inside fifteen overs.

Vettori added: "Winning the toss was important because it was always going to be difficult batting in these conditions. The only way we could have slipped up is if we'd batted first and lost a few early wickets but we were ruthless and I was delighted we could produce such a performance at the end of a hard tour."

Meanwhile, Scotland coach Peter Steindl echoed Vettori's comments when he declared: "The key for us is to play as much high-standard cricket as possible. You only learn to deal with different situations by being exposed to them. Meeting New Zealand was always going to be tough and it got even tougher when they won the toss. But you've got to be ready to bat in any game – whatever the conditions.

"New Zealand bowled extremely well in helpful conditions on a day when batters never really felt as if they were 'in.'

"I'd love to have seen our guys bowl in the same conditions but you can only control so much in cricket and you can't do anything about the toss.

"Although we've only made 101 I think our batsmen showed a lot of character and didn't throw their wickets away."

Steindl now sets his sights on an Intercontinental Cup double in Bermuda and Canada when five of his senior players, including skipper Ryan Watson and in-form batsman Gavin Hamilton, will be missing.

The squad fly to Hamilton on Monday to take on the Bermudans over four days starting on Wednesday.