Cricket: Cairns will not let bad knee stand in way of World Cup

HARARE - Chris Cairns says he will do whatever it takes to be fit for the cricket World Cup in South Africa in 2003.

And if that means having an operation on his troublesome right knee, the 30-year-old allrounder is prepared.

Cairns took a back seat at New Zealand training this week after his knee injury forced him out of the three-match limited-over series against Zimbabwe.

Having flown to Johannesburg on Sunday for a cortisone injection in his patella tendon, Cairns will rest for the next week.

His big target is the tour of South Africa starting next month, but he is likely to play in the mini-World Cup in Kenya in 10 days.

With a packed home international programme this summer then a short break before likely tours to Sri Lanka and Pakistan later next year, Cairns admits he may have to go under the knife.

"That's a possibility but it depends how this responds. If I can avoid the operation that would be ideal," Cairns said.

"I'd be willing to do anything to stay in the game. I'd love to go through to the next World Cup, but at the moment it's series by series."

Cairns had an operation on his left knee five years ago that successfully averted any more trouble.

His right knee has been playing up for two years and he had a cortisone injection - designed to reduce inflammation - before the series against Australia this year.

In his last seven tests, against the West Indies, Australia and Zimbabwe, Cairns has lived up to his billing as the world's top allrounder. He has scored 620 runs, at an average of 62, and taken 38 wickets at 20.24 runs apiece.

Cairns earned the man-of-the-match award in the second test in Harare with 124 in the first innings followed by vital late wickets as a weary New Zealand pursued victory on the final day.

He expects to be back training just before the team travel to Nairobi and hopes to be firing by the time the six one-dayers and three tests against South Africa come around.

"It was always my thinking. I've never played a test against South Africa and I'm thoroughly looking forward to doing battle with these guys."

Cairns was resigned to having to go through the pain barrier again after the knee settles down in about 10 days.

"I know even if I was as incapacitated as I was during the second test then I'll play in Kenya regardless.

"I just want to be operating as fully as I can. I'm never going to be 100 per cent, so if I can be as close to peak as I can, that will be great."

In the meantime he admitted it was difficult sitting watching his team-mates.

He occupied himself yesterday as a surrogate team manager, as Jeff Crowe is still in South Africa assessing accommodation and training facilities.

But he was taking a keen interest in the progress of the crop of up-and-comers in the side who now get their chance.

"I love playing, I've missed hardly any games in the last 1 1/2 years," Cairns said.

"It's exciting to see how Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey and Shayne O'Connor step up.

"We've had a good environment in the side now for a while and I'm looking forward to see how they handle it."

The first of the one-dayers against Zimbabwe was overnight. The other two will be played at the weekend.

- NZPA