Cricket: Weekend tests for Styris

Scott Styris has had several knee operations in his six years of playing international cricket. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Injured New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris should have a better idea of his playing prospects by the start of next week.

The former Northern Districts player, now living in Auckland, felt pain in his left knee during the fourth one-dayer against Sri Lanka at Wellington and was immediately scratched from the final match and ruled out of domestic cricket.

Styris has had problems with both knees during his six-year international career, including two bouts of surgery on his right joint after the tour of South Africa in 2000, and another operation on his left last year.

New Zealand manager Lindsay Crocker said yesterday that the 30-year-old's condition appeared to be stabilising and a light fitness test today or tomorrow should shed more light on his prospects.

"The knee seems to be settling, so he'll put himself through some sort of physical activity in the next couple of days, and just wait to see how he pulls up after the weekend."

Possibly the biggest fear regarding Styris is that the problem will reduce his effectiveness at the bowling crease, and in turn rob New Zealand of some of the all-round balance that makes their one-day side so useful.

To make matters worse, fellow all-rounder Jacob Oram missed the last two games of the Sri Lankan series with a bruised left heel and is another causing some concern at NZC headquarters.

"Jake's injury has progressed and he should be returning to action within a week to 10 days, but only as a batsman," Crocker said.

"Rest is the key for him, so we're looking to ease him back and ensure that we don't hurry his rehab."

Rest had also been advised for New Zealand vice-captain Daniel Vettori, wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum, all-rounder Chris Cairns and paceman James Franklin, all of whom missed their most recent provincial outings in order to do rehabilitation work.

Crocker said Vettori would remain unavailable for Northern Districts this week as a precautionary measure, but McCullum, Cairns and Franklin had progressed well during the short break and should be involved in tonight's Twenty20 action.

There were also injury concerns over all-rounder Andre Adams (broken fingers), Craig Cumming (face rearranged by ball), Kyle Mills (groin), Stephen Fleming (groin) and Shane Bond (virus).

Adams, who damaged a finger before the start of the Chappell-Hadlee series and then another before the start of the Sri Lankan one-dayers, will be out for another month, making him an outside chance for the series opener against the West Indies on February 18.

Crocker reported that Cumming, struck flush in the face while fielding for Otago, had 24 stitches, one reconstructed tooth, one capped tooth and a wired jaw, but was hoping to play within a week, as was Mills.

He said the most acute problem at the moment was the health of fast-bowler Bond, who had been struck by a nasty virus and was doubtful for tonight's Twenty20 contest.

"Shane has been quite unwell for the past couple of days but we're hopeful of a speedy recovery and there's even a chance he could play in the Twenty20."

TWENTY20 Today:

Canterbury v Otago, Hagley Oval.

Wellington v ND, Basin Reserve.