Cricket: Vettori eyes return to action on Sunday

Hopefully we will see more of this soon because Daniel Vettori's back injury is not as serious as feared. Picture / Derek Flynn

Daniel Vettori is confident of making an injury comeback on Sunday and proving his fitness for this month's Australian series.

Vettori was yesterday given the all-clear to return for Northern Districts after his back injury was diagnosed as more likely tissue-related than bone-related.

It was feared the star spinner may have suffered a stress fracture, having been sidelined by such an injury in 2000.

After an idle week since the back soreness arose during the World X1 series, Vettori was back in action yesterday and feeling good.

"A lot of the decision's been put in my hands," he told Radio Sport.

"I've been through it once or twice before and they're pretty confident in letting me run with how it feels.

"If I'm comfortable I'll keep playing."

Vettori bowled his first deliveries in the nets and came through well, with medical staff aiming him at Northern Districts' State Shield one-day match in Auckland on Sunday.

Beyond that, Vettori is eyeing the first one-day international against Australia at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on February 19.

"The injury's not the scary thing, it's just missing out on cricket. We've got a huge summer coming up."

The New Zealand team received a double dose of good fortune yesterday, with key allrounder Jacob Oram also receiving a positive injury report.

A CT scan has shown a stress reaction in his back, and not a stress fracture.

Oram has been sidelined since January 9 with continued back soreness.

"Jacob will continue to undergo treatment and should return to batting following a couple of pain-free weeks, before progressing to bowling," said team manager Lindsay Crocker.

* The two New Zealand-Sri Lanka tests will be played at Napier from April 4-8 and at the Basin Reserve from April 11-15.

The Sri Lankans, whose tour was cut short by the tsunami on Boxing Day, will play a warm-up match from March 28-30.

The venue and opponents are yet to be confirmed.

* Sir Richard Hadlee is among the six selectors named yesterday for the Rest of the World side to play this year's Super Series, probably against Australia.

The selection panel, convened by India's Sunil Gavaskar, will also include West Indies' Clive Lloyd, South Africa's Jonty Rhodes, England's Mike Atherton and Sri Lanka's Aravinda de Silva.

Sri Lanka tests

April 4-8 Napier
April 11-15 Basin Reserve

- AGENCIES