Andy McKay raring for another chance

The fast bowler Andy McKay is itching to get back in to international cricket during New Zealand's series in Florida after a three-month lay-off due to a foot injury. McKay had just burst on to the scene with three strong one-day performances against Bangladesh in February when he suffered a stress fracture that ended his immediate hopes of a Test debut.

He is keen to play his first Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka in Lauderhill and a place has opened up in the side after the retirement of Shane Bond. McKay, a left-armer who approaches 150kph, could be the ideal replacement for Bond and it would be a welcome return to the international scene for a man who waited until the age of 29 for his first call-up.

"It was obviously very disappointing," McKay said in Florida. "I'd only had a taste of what was on offer and I felt I'd put in a couple of good performances and with the Aussies around the corner it was a good opportunity to test myself against those guys. It was an injury that took a bit longer than I thought to get right.

"But now that it's fine, it's great to get the recall. It will be great to get the opportunity to play. I got a taste of it against Bangladesh a couple of months ago. To play against Sri Lanka I think will definitely raise the bar a little bit and it will be a good test."

The series has been cut down from three games to two, with the first scheduled for Saturday. In the lead-up the New Zealanders have spent some time training with the Florida Marlins baseball team and McKay said it was an enjoyable learning experience.

"It was a superb day," McKay said. "We were able to get on the field and do a few drills with the guys. A few of the guys had a hit. We were able to talk to some of the pitchers and talk about the way they go about things, especially throwing techniques, and worked out a few ideas on how to hit the ball out of the park a little bit further as well."