Cricket: Medical staff sure injured Vettori could play in pain

By RICHARD BOOCK

WELLINGTON - New Zealand Cricket's medical staff have defended the decision to allow Daniel Vettori to take the field in the second test yesterday, despite an as-yet undiagnosed back complaint, which eventually forced his withdrawal.

The New Zealand spin bowler defied the pain barrier to bat with a runner yesterday morning and then exceeded all expectations when he bowled eight overs in Australia's second innings, taking a wicket with his first delivery before retiring for more treatment.

In obvious pain and restricted in most of his movements, Vettori is only a 50-50 chance to play in the third test at Hamilton which starts on Friday, but did not aggravate his injury by continuing yesterday, according to team physiotherapist Mark Harrison.

"The doctor's advice was that bowling wouldn't cause any more damage," said Harrison, "although it might make him sore again.

"Dan improved a bit overnight, had an x-ray this morning, saw a doctor this afternoon and will have a bone-scan tomorrow just to make sure we haven't missed anything. At this stage it seems to be a joint problem in the lower back."

Harrison said the back had flared up again after Vettori left the field but said pain was not necessarily a reflection of the extent of damage.

"He's sore again. He was a 50-50 chance to play today and he's a 50-50 chance of playing at Hamilton."