Cairns could still play on weekend if needed

Chris Cairns is out of today's ICC KnockOut Cup semi-final against Pakistan in Nairobi, but if New Zealand should win he could yet play in the tournament final on Sunday.

New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) player co-ordinator Gilbert Enoka talked with New Zealand manager Jeff Crowe this evening (NZ time) and said management was monitoring Cairns' progress daily.

"He may still be able to play if New Zealand makes the final," Enoka said.

"But he will stay on tour and have an MRI scan in South Africa to determine the extent of his injury.

That will depend on whether he has torn scar tissue in his knee or tendon tissue.

If it is scar tissue he is likely to be recovered to play by the weekend if necessary. But if the scan shows it is a tendon tear he is likely to return to New Zealand.

Team physiotherapist Mark Harrison has been consulting with Christchurch doctor Rob Campbell on the injury and treatment.

Enoka said the injuries affecting the CLEAR Black Caps were the carryover from the training and preparation programmes of a previous generation of players which had been based on developing cricketers rather than athletes.

The newer generation coming through were the target of different management practices aimed at having athletes prepared as cricketers.

That was intended to reduce the exposure to injury among players.

Enoka spent three weeks in Zimbabwe with the side and described the side as "one of the most professional outfits I've been with.

"I can't fault their work ethic and they are working together very well.

"They have really taken on the notion of being professional athletes," he said.

Enoka is soon to leave with the All Blacks for their tour of Japan, Italy and France.