Vettori fitness test Friday, Aussie return possible on Saturday

Daniel Vettori is running the risk of a new nickname, 'the quick healer.'

He's playing for the New Zealand Academy on Friday at Lincoln University as a fitness test for his injured ankle ligament.

Instead of needing six to eight weeks to recover, Vettori is now walking and running comfortably and the chances are that he may return to Australia on Saturday.

The New Zealand Academy is to play a one-day game against the State Auckland Aces on Friday and Vettori will bowl and field, but will not bat in the game to be played on Lincoln Green starting at 10.30am.

A satisfactory performance in the game will see Vettori rejoin the CLEAR Black Caps immediately where he will come under the supervision of New Zealand Cricket fitness advisor Warren Frost.

NZC Cricket Operations manager John Reid said: "Daniel's injury was extremely painful and his ankle was very swollen in the initial stages making early diagnosis difficult.

"Happily the ligament damage has not been as serious as initially feared and intensive treatment in the first 48 hours following the injury has played a major part in Daniel's rapid recovery.

"Daniel will undertake a controlled re-introduction to cricket and will not be risked by rushing a return before he is fully fit. However, should he come through Friday's fitness test without incident, we have taken the view that it is more sensible for him to continue his rehabilitation within the team environment," he said.

Reid added that the optimistic target was to have Vettori ready for the match against South Australia starting on Friday, November 16.

A decision about when replacement player Paul Wiseman would return will be made once the outcome of Vettori's fitness test is known and his return to the bowling crease is clearer.