Cairns ruled out of first India Test

New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns has ruled himself out of the opening Test against India starting in Wellington on December 12, it was announced on Saturday.

Cairns, who underwent his second serious knee operation in March, was back playing a first class championship match for Canterbury against Otago on Friday but only bowled five overs without success.

The medium-fast bowler and attacking batsman had earlier informed the chairman of selectors, Sir Richard Hadlee, that he was doubtful for the full two-match Test series against India, and was targeting the one-day series which begins in Auckland on December 26.

"He has subsequently informed me that he will reassess his condition in time for consideration for the second Test in Hamilton (December 19).

"Chris doesn't want to rush his comeback like he did this time last year from another knee operation," Hadlee told Wellington's Dominion-Post newspaper.

"The first priority has to be the World Cup in February and March, because Chris is so vital to our chances of winning there."

Also out of the running for first Test selection is Auckland all-rounder Andre Adams, who is returning from a back injury sustained earlier this year after bursting on to the Test and one-day scene in Australia.

Adams is sitting out Auckland's opening four day championship match against Northern Districts because of a ban imposed by his association for a misdemeanour committed in a club match last weekend.

Hadlee said Adams would be unable to increase his bowling workload sufficiently to be in contention for the Test side, which will be na med on December 8.

Mail Cricket Editor