Franklin satisfied after Australia stint

James Franklin, the New Zealand fast bowler, believes his three-week stint in Australia will help his bid to make a comeback to first-class cricket. Franklin underwent surgery for a patella tendon injury in his right knee last November and he is hopeful of being passed fit for Wellington's State Championship opener against Canterbury, on November 17, following his rehabilitation in Canberra.

Franklin last played a Test for New Zealand in December 2006 and he hasn't appeared in ODIs since the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. He returned to New Zealand last month after playing Twenty20 and one-day games for Australian Capital Territory and represented New Zealand in the Emerging Players tour of Queensland.

"I played eight games and in the last one I bowled off my full run for five overs and felt good," Franklin told the Dominion Post. "In hindsight my expectations may have been higher than reality.

"I got told at the outset by the surgeon the recovery would be six to eight months and being the athlete you only really hear the number six. Then I thought if it goes really well it might only be four months. I've been closer to 11 [months] now and it's only been in recent times that I've been able to do multiple tasks on my knee on the same day like bowling and doing weights."

Despite being out of action for so long, New Zealand Cricket kept its faith in Franklin by naming him in the list of contracted players in April. "I'm just thankful New Zealand Cricket gave me a contract and are still behind me."