Cricket: Vettori, McCullum hopeful of return

The Black Caps are hopeful skipper Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum will both be fit for tomorrow's second ODI against India.

Coach Mark Greatbatch yesterday ruled out speculation of Vettori returning home early from the Indian tour.

The Black Caps spinner suffered a sore back after his extensive workload during the three-test series and, with wicketkeeper-batsman McCullum, sat out the 40-run loss in the opening game at Guwahati on Sunday night.

"I'm hoping Dan will be fit for the next one," Greatbatch said.

"There's no talk about him going home. We'll see how he is in training [today]."

McCullum is more sore than Vettori and Greatbatch would not rule out him skipping out the Jaipur game as well.

"If he's still as stiff as he has been we'll probably be conservative. He's had it scanned and there's nothing major, so that's positive."