Cricket: Operation costs Astle season with Derbyshire

Nathan Astle has pulled out of his contract with English side Derbyshire to have major surgery on his left knee.

He is suffering from patella tendonitis and is to have an operation immediately after the World Cup, which begins in southern Africa in 18 days.

He faces six months of rehabilitation during the winter, but should be fit for the start of the home summer tours by Pakistan and South Africa.

"It is incredibly frustrating having to say no to Derbyshire, but I want to play for New Zealand for another couple of years and I don't want to jeopardise that," he said.

"It might get sore at the World Cup, but I don't want to miss that for anything.

"I think we can manage the problem there with a sensible workload, lots of Voltarens [anti-inflammatory tablets] and just the adrenaline of the occasion."

The 31-year-old has complained of the injury before and left the tour of Pakistan last year and stayed away from the bowling crease in the following tour to the West Indies.

"I've played with niggles before, but this is a bit different. It gets sore and I get sharp pain in the front of my knee, so it obviously needs an op."

After missing the last two one-day games against India, Astle had hoped to make his return yesterday for Canterbury against Northern Districts in Timaru.

However, New Zealand Cricket's medical team believe more rest will help and have delayed his comeback for Canterbury until tomorrow.

Astle said he might reduce his bowling workload in the nets in South Africa, but he wants to remain an on-field bowling option for captain Stephen Fleming.

New Zealand's injury crisis appears to be clearing up in time for the World Cup. Jacob Oram returned for Central Districts yesterday, but with a special guard on his previously fractured finger, Andre Adams is free of back pain and Fleming's foot x-ray was clear.

Chris Cairns was also moving better after recent knee surgery.

- NZPA