Full speed ahead for Wiseman's return

Provided the national selectors agree it will be full-speed-ahead for Paul Wiseman's return to the New Zealand Cricket team which will play Zimbabwe in the one-off Boxing Day test at the Basin Reserve late this month.

The international future of the Otago off-spinner, seemingly assured with the injury to Daniel Vettori, has been in doubt since Wiseman injured an ankle in South Africa last month.

One diagnosis of the severe sprain was that there was a fracture in the ankle, and Wiseman could be 6-8 weeks away from the game.

Since then a scan showed a bone flake in the ankle joint, and Wiseman gave the injury its first test when bowling 14 overs against Auckland at Eden Park No 2 on Wednesday.

He felt little discomfort then, and was moving freely on the injury in the warm-ups before play today.

"It feels fine, a little painful, but nothing that would stop me playing," said the 30-year-old. "I guess I'll live."

Later in the day Wiseman batted 171 minutes for 75 runs at No 8, including a 56-run stand for the last wicket with James McMillan.

Wiseman moved swiftly between the wickets and was obviously untroubled by the healing ankle.

The New Zealand selectors plan to name their first test team on Monday.