Cricket: Styris misses Sri Lanka, set for Middlesex

Black Caps all-rounder Scott Styris will not be fit for the two-test series against Sri Lanka but is expected to return to the cricket field next month.

Styris had surgery on his left knee on March 15 to remove a piece of articular cartilage.

Black Caps manager Lindsay Crocker said Styris should be fit to take up his contract with English county side Middlesex on April 17.

Styris injured the knee in February while playing for Northern Districts in Taupo in the State Shield.

Injured Black Caps Ian Butler and Jacob Oram are both running and are expected to be available to tour Zimbabwe in August.

Butler (with a back disc compression injury) and Oram (back stress reaction injury) will both be assessed to determine whether changes are needed to their bowling actions.

Other players who are expected to be available to tour Zimbabwe include Chris Harris (shoulder surgery), Daryl Tuffey (bicep muscle strain), Michael Papps (finger surgery) and Shane Bond (back surgery).

- NZPA