16 Nov 2013

Senior Black Caps on the road to recovery

7:23 am on 16 November 2013

Senior members of the New Zealand cricket team are on the mend following a lengthy list of injuries and ailments.

Skipper Brendon McCullum is set to play for a New Zealand XI against the touring West Indies in a fortnight having returned home early from the Bangladesh tour with a back injury.

McCullum is now back doing light training.

Just when batsman Kane Williamson may return to the crease should be known next week, when he sees a specialist after breaking his left thumb while playing in Bangladesh.

Since returning from Bangladesh, Ross Taylor has aggravated a knee injury but is likely to play for Central Districts against Northern Districts in their Plunket Shield match in a couple of weeks.

Fast bowler Tim Southee, who had ankle surgery in July, is also likely to return to the field for ND in that match too.

Batsman Martin Guptill, who missed the tour of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, returned to first class cricket for Auckland after surgery on his right ankle and a fractured finger.

He made 62 for Auckland against Canterbury, before retiring hurt with a tight hamstring although New Zealand Cricket says this was only a precautionary measure.

The test squad for the first match against the West Indies will be named on November 25th.