Cricket: Black Caps continue comeback

Jesse Ryder. Photo / Getty Images

Two Black Caps continued on the comeback trail in Dunedin last night, with Daniel Vettori and Jesse Ryder aiming to find some form before the West Indies visit this summer.

Vettori's last international action came at the Champions Trophy in June, with Achilles tendon surgery keeping him on the sidelines for four months.

He returned to cricket a fortnight ago with a five-wicket bag in the Plunket Shield, before playing a minor role last night in Northern Districts' HRV Cup win over Otago.

The allrounder scored 3 not out in the Knights' total of 183-6 and recorded 0-32 from four overs to help restrict Otago to 174-3 in reply. The loss was Otago's first in the HRV Cup for a year.

Ryder opened the Volts innings and struggled for timing initially before being dismissed for 19 from 23 balls, caught short at the non-striker's end when Jono Boult got a finger on Aaron Redmond's drive.

Ryder, who made one in his first Twenty20 for his new province, was effective with the ball and claimed 1-21 from three overs. Last month, he scored a century against former side Wellington in the Plunket Shield in his first match following a six-month drug suspension.

• Meanwhile, Wellington will probably require a sporting declaration from Central Districts if their Plunket Shield clash at the Basin Reserve is to produce any sort of a result.

After resuming day three on 149-2 and firmly in control, Wellington were undone by Doug Bracewell and Tarun Nethula, who both grabbed four wickets to restrict the home side to 293.

Trailing by four runs heading into their second innings, Ben Smith (70) and Carl Cachopa (54) put on 97 for the second wicket, helping the Stags to 170-3 at stumps.

They will begin day four with a lead of 166 and, after the first round produced two draws, another stalemate is shaping as the most likely outcome.