da heads bet： AUCKLAND, NZ – All eyes are on star all-rounder Chris Cairns as the NewZealand cricket selectors consider their Test squad for the tour ofAustralia
NZPA20-Sep-2001AUCKLAND, NZ – All eyes are on star all-rounder Chris Cairns as the NewZealand cricket selectors consider their Test squad for the tour ofAustralia.With the tour of Pakistan almost certain to be cancelled in the comingdays, Sir Richard Hadlee’s panel is faced with re-selecting the squadfor Australia within the next three weeks.That would allow the players time to prepare for a build-up which couldbegin as early as October 23, and a touring schedule which starts inBrisbane on November 1.Cairns hasn’t played for New Zealand in nearly a year – going back aone-day international against South Africa last November – but waspoised to create the biggest re-shuffle in the squad picked for theaborted Pakistan tour.The 31-year-old was on the recovery trail after undergoing surgery torelieve a patella tendonitis problem in his right knee and was showingencouraging signs of being available for the Australian series.NZC fitness adviser Warren Frost said today Cairns was making steadyprogress towards a full recovery and was hopeful he would be availablefor selection.”Our goal is to try to have him right for Australia but we wouldn’t letthat goal over-ride the player’s best interests,” Frost said.”At the moment Chris is ‘smashing’ his leg, which involves working hardon his strength. Three times a week he’s bowling about eight overs offhalf a run-up, and he’s now running on grass as opposed to the gymnasiumtreadmill.”The only other lingering question is whether Hadlee’s panel will againoverlook batsman Matt Horne, whose 29-Test career has so far realisedfour centuries, including an innings of 133 in the third Test at Hobartin 1997-98.Horne struggled in his most recent Test against Zimbabwe in Wellingtonin December, when he compiled one and nought.He had a successful tour of India with New Zealand A, and can point tosome reasonable success in the international arena and a first-classaverage of 41.