Cairns out for Sunday, maybe longer

Uncertainty over his fitness has seen the star CLEAR Blacks Caps all-rounder Chris Cairns out of the squad for the deciding final One Day International match in the National Bank Series against Zimbabwe at Eden Park on Sunday.

"We were faced with a situation where we could take only 13 players in our squad to Auckland and therefore have decided to let Chris stand down for this match, " said the Chairman of selectors, Sir Richard Hadlee.

"I'm uncertain what is next for me. I'll be seeing the full medical panel early next week and they will assess what is required to deal with the knee injuries, both the bursitis which flared up in Taupo earlier in the week and the longer-term tendon problem I have, " Cairns said.

"Naturally I'm disappointed not to be going to Auckland and while there was a possibility I could have played, there is a question as to whether I would be fit. The situation has been closely monitored and assessed by the travelling support team, but I need to be seen by specialists and this will happen as soon as possible," Cairns said.

Sir Richard said the squad would remain unchanged for the Eden Park match, with both all-rounder Jacob Oram of Central Districts and Otago's Paul Wiseman, who were called in two days ago, staying with the team.