Cricket: Leading duo may go under the knife

Daniel Vettori has been hampered by a knee injury in recent seasons. Photo / Christine Cornege

The country's two most experienced cricketers are considering surgery in the New Zealand team's international off-season.

Former captain Daniel Vettori and captaincy candidate Brendon McCullum are looking to make the most of their post-Indian Premier League downtime by dealing with troublesome knee pain. Both have had manageable problems but the break between now and New Zealand's next tour to Zimbabwe in October is a tempting time to go under the knife.

The pair could comfortably rehabilitate for a busy international summer which also includes series away in Australia, home against Zimbabwe and South Africa and the first bilateral tour of the West Indies in 10 years starting in April.

Vettori has returned home for a week off in the Coromandel after leading the Bangalore Royal Challengers to the Indian Premier League final.

He led by example at the tournament, finishing with the best economy rate in his team of 6.01 runs per over. It was the third best in the competition for those who bowled more than 20 overs. He took 12 wickets at 25.91 in 13 matches.

The 32-year-old is set to captain a team from once civil war-torn Uthura in the new seven-team Sri Lankan Twenty20 competition, starting mid-July. It is uncertain how potential surgery might affect that.

He has consulted specialists to see if he should go ahead after apparently relying on a cortisone injection to limit the pain during the IPL. Vettori's once problematic shoulder has been fine of late.

McCullum is expected to opt out of cricket until September. He may also get his right knee cleared up after suffering on it during the World Cup. It limited his ability to train and rest after the selectors' decision to take just one specialist wicketkeeper to the subcontinent.

McCullum had dead cartilage and bone removed from his left knee last year. He turned down the chance to play for Sussex again in the English T20 competition.

McCullum's Kochi Tuskers Kerala finished eighth out of 10 teams in the IPL. The 29-year-old scored the most runs (357) at his franchise, averaging 27.46 in 13 matches. His strike rate of 129 was the team's highest.

Meanwhile, the traditional New Zealand Cricket selection panel concept of "three wise men" is under threat.

A decision is due on the new panel make-up over the next fortnight. It is understood one option cricket director John Buchanan is considering involves just two people - a selector and coach John Wright.

Both would be in charge of picking the team but Wright would have the deciding vote on any split decisions, further increasing his demand for accountability for the coach. Rather than attending matches all over the country, it has been suggested the new panel's eyes and ears should be the six provincial coaches, given they are at the ground watching every day. The panel would be trusted to sift out any bias the coaches showed towards local players.

The current selection panel is Mark Greatbatch, Glenn Turner and Lance Cairns.