Cricket: Cairns is eager to get back into fray

New Zealand allrounder Chris Cairns is eager to return to cricket in Canterbury's day-night match against Zimbabwe at Jade Stadium on Tuesday.

Cairns has been troubled by a knee injury which forced him to return to Christchurch in early November after the one-day series against South Africa.

Since then he has been working at strengthening exercises for the quadracep muscle to help support the damaged patella tendon which is the core of the problem.

"I was thinking about playing club cricket this weekend but the medical people have suggested I wait just a few more days," Cairns said. "I'm dead keen to keep going again but must ease myself back into it."

Cairns said he would most likely play as a batsman only against Zimbabwe to get the feel of things before beginning to bowl again.

Cairns then wants to play in Canterbury's first two Shell Cup matches, where he will be expected to bowl, before making himself available for the one-day series against Zimbabwe and the rest of the international season.

The winner of the Shell Cup will represent New Zealand in a four-nation limited-overs cricket tournament to be staged in Perth next March.

The tournament will feature the national one-day champion teams from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India.