Chris Cairns to undergo knee surgery

CLEAR Black Caps all-rounder, Chris Cairns, will undergo surgery on his right knee next week and will be unavailable to play cricket over the winter period.

He will miss the Sharjah Cup tournament early next month and New Zealand's tours to Pakistan and West Indies. He is also unable to take up his contract with English county, Nottinghamshire.

Cairns, who missed 12 months of cricket from November 2000 after surgery on the same knee, suffered a new injury while fielding a ball off his own bowling in the first innings of the first National Bank Test against England at Jade Stadium two weeks ago.

MRI scans show a new patella tendon tear. Surgeons offered a choice of either surgery or rest and rehabilitation.

"I was given a choice of surgery or rest and rehabilitation. On balance I feel it is better to have the operation and recover over the winter with a definite goal of returning to play for New Zealand against India in December and looking forward to the World Cup in February 2003.

"I feel the risk associated with the alternative route of resting the knee and then resuming cricket in two or three months time is too great. Should the injury then reoccur I would face surgery at that time. That could mean leaving Notts in the lurch mid-season and could also mean that I would not be recovered in time to play for New Zealand against India or to play in the World Cup. For both of these reasons I felt the best option was to deal with the injury immediately.

"In coming to this conclusion I have been in constant communication with both New Zealand Cricket and Notts and I am happy to say that both groups support my decision," Cairns said.

Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket, Martin Snedden, said New Zealand Cricket's priority must now be to have Cairns available for its home international programme and for the World Cup.

"I believe Chris has come to the correct decision and New Zealand Cricket will support his rehabilitation throughout the winter months with the aim of him returning fit for next summer's series against India."