Injury fears force Vettori out of Windies series

Wellington, Nov 26 (IANS/CMC) Daniel Vettori has ruled himself out of the forthcoming series against the West Indies, saying that it was too early to guarantee his fitness.

The left-arm spinner has been dogged by a chronic Achilles tendon condition and underwent surgery in London in June to prolong his career, reports CMC.

"International cricket, and in particular Test cricket, places enormous demands on the body and I simply haven't played enough recently to be confident of meeting those demands," said Vettori who has also declined a contract with New Zealand Cricket due to concerns over his fitness.

"The short-term plan is to concentrate on my existing duties with Northern Districts and Brisbane, and re-evaluate my fitness in the New Year."

Vettori made a return to competitive cricket with First Class matches in the Plunket Shield in November, bowling 49 overs for Northern Districts and finishing with a match haul of six wickets, including a fifer in the first innings. 

Since then, he has been playing for Northern Districts in the HRV Cup, New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 tournament.

"What I can't afford to do is throw myself back into the international arena prematurely and re-injure myself," he said in a statement.

"It wouldn't be any good for me; it wouldn't be any good for the team."

Vettori last played a Test for New Zealand against the West Indies in July 2012.

The West Indies are scheduled to play three Tests, five ODIs and two T20s on their tour to New Zealand.

The first Test begins Dec 3 in Dunedin.