Cricket: White Ferns bowler in doubt

Left-arm spinner Rebecca Steele, known as the White Ferns' female equivalent of Daniel Vettori, is in doubt for Canterbury's State League one-day women's cricket campaign with a back injury.

The injury is a recurrence of the disc irritation she experienced while playing for the White Ferns at the women's World Cup in South Africa earlier this year.

Canterbury coach Kirsty Flavell said it is believed the injury, understood to be sustained when playing golf recently, is not as bad as it was in South Africa.

Steele, who turns 21 in January, played through the pain during that tournament but then returned home to rest and get treatment.

Flavell said Steele is receiving physiotherapy and will be reassessed before Canterbury's opening match against Central Districts at QE II's Village Green next week.

Canterbury are the State League title holders.

- NZPA