NZ all-rounder Cairns to undergo knee surgery

New Zealand's Chris Cairns is to undergo surgery on his knee, the Test all-rounder announced in Albany, near Auckland, on Thursday.

Cairns said he was offered a choice with his latest injury, a patella tendon tear on the knee he had an operation on a year ago, either more surgery or rest and rehabilitation.

"On balance, I feel it is better to have the operation and recover over the winter with a definite goal of returning to play for New Zealand against India at home in December and looking forward to the World Cup in February," he said.

Cairns will therefore not be playing for Nottinghamshire in the forthcoming English season, but hopes to rejoin the county after the 2003 World Cup.

The fast bowler and big-hitting batsman missed nine months of international cricket from January 2001 to undergo surgery to the same right knee.

Cairns, 31, returned to tour Australia from October-December, play Bangladesh in two Tests at home and go back to Australia for the triangular one-day tournament in January and February.

He was looking forward to the England series with the aim of passing the barrier of 200 Test wickets, and began in fine style in the first Test in Christchurch when he took the first three wickets of England's first innings to move to 197.

But he felt his knee go when bending down to stop a straight drive off his own bowling.

"I immediately knew something was up," Cairns said. "It was a sickening feeling knowing that I had just come back from knee trouble.

"I am frustrated and disappointed but that's sport. It's what it's all about. Some people play and go through their career without any injuries.

"Myself and (fellow New Zealand all-rounder) Dion Nash cop our fair share."

NZ DOLLAR

Cairns said it was tempting to take the rest and rehabilitation route to recovery before joining up with Nottinghamshire, admitting that the state of the New Zealand dollar made working in England a profitable proposition.

"When it came down to it, I felt that had I broken down after a couple of months I would have let Notts down and may have missed out on the chance of playing in the World Cup," he said.

"The World Cup is for me because I think we can win it."

Cairns said New Zealand had built a competitive team over the last four years and that work was being undermined by injuries to himself, Nash, Shayne O'Connor and Shane Bond and continual concerns over Daniel Vettori's back.

"I feel for (captain) Stephen Fleming and for the guys thrown in like Ian Butler, Chris Drum, Chris Martin, Daryl Tuffey and Andre Adams. They don't have a senior player to learn from.

"I keep ringing Stephen Fleming to reassure him I think he is doing a good job," said Cairns.

Asked if he had thought of giving up, Cairns was unequivocal with his answer.

"I would love to be involved for at least another three years," he said. "I love the game too much and I never thought about giving it up."

Cairns added that every cloud had a silver lining. "This injury means that I will be around in June when my first child is due to be born and that will be special."

Mail Cricket Editor