By RICHARD BOOCK
A possible early return by spinner Daniel Vettori has brightened an otherwise unsettling few days for the besieged New Zealand cricket squad.
As if the series loss to Zimbabwe was not bad enough, the on-going injury crisis among the side deepened yesterday following knee problems for Shayne O'Connor and Nathan Astle.
The one piece of good news was that Vettori, who had been eyeing a comeback against Pakistan next month, has apparently been making encouraging progress and could be available for the earlier one-day series against Sri Lanka.
The world's leading left-arm spinner, initially injured against Australia last summer, broke down in his comeback test against Zimbabwe in September, and has only recently started bowling again with the Northern Districts second XI.
New Zealand Cricket sources have suggested that Vettori may be considered for the Sri Lankan series at the end of this month if he continues to recover strongly, particularly as he would bowl no more than 10 overs a game.
The theory is that, in ideal circumstances, Vettori might as well bowl 10 overs for the national side as wheel them down the wicket for Northern Districts in the domestic competition.
But NZC player coordinator Gilbert Enoka cautioned against placing too much hope on an early return for Vettori, who might be selected for Northern Districts' Shell Cup showdown against Otago on Friday.
"Daniel's in as good a shape as we would want him in at this stage and is progressing well," Enoka said.
"However, we want him to come back for 10 years rather than one year, so will be very careful about his return."
The 21-year-old was initially targeted for a return to first-class cricket late this month and a possible international start against Pakistan on February 17, and Enoka said any likely changes would be discussed at an NZC medical panel meeting on Monday.
It is expected that NZC will receive the go-ahead for surgery on all-rounder Chris Cairns' right knee at the same time.
Astle is consulting a specialist over an ongoing knee injury that may eventually need surgery, and will have more neurological tests after suffering dizziness on the eve of the second one-day international against Zimbabwe.
There is greater concern over Otago swing bowler Shayne O'Connor, who damaged a patella tendon in his right knee in the Shell Trophy match against Northern Districts at Carisbrook on Monday.
New Zealand's last remaining frontline bowler limped from the ground after just 4.2 overs.
His knee was being assessed yesterday.
"It's been a long time and, in a way, it's a dent to my pride that I've finally got an injury," O'Connor said.
"It might have been my body giving out a message.
"That it's finally happened is possibly a reflection on what I've been doing for so long."
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was also being examined by NZC's medical panel yesterday after suffering a "slight" groin strain during the final one-dayer against Zimbabwe.
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