Daniel Vettori has been named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit during the Queen's Birthday Honours investiture ceremony in Auckland. The honour is awarded to outstanding people from various fields, which include philanthropy, music, local governance and community service among others. In his citation, Vettori was referred to as one of the world's top left-arm spinners.

"The first time I knew about [the royal honour], it was just a real surprise," Vettori told the New Zealand Herald. "I couldn't get over it."

Vettori, who made his international debut at 18, is the youngest player to represent New Zealand in Test cricket, and is one of only eight players to have the double of 300 Test wickets and 3000 runs - Vettori has 4167. In June, three months after leading New Zealand to the 2011 World Cup semi-finals, Vettori announced that he will be taking a break from one-day and Twenty20 cricket in an effort to prolong his Test career. With 345 Test wickets, he has Richard Hadlee's national record of 431 wickets in his sights, while only Stephen Fleming has played more Tests - 111 to Vettori's 104 - for New Zealand.