Vettori confirms Windies series a bridge too far MARK GEENTY

Tue, Nov 26, '13

Daniel Vettori's rapid recovery from Achilles tendon surgery has complicated matters, but he still feels nowhere near ready to return to test cricket.

Vettori confirmed last night he'd turned down overtures from the national selectors and was unavailable for the West Indies series which starts with the first test in Dunedin next Tuesday. That was despite an impressive return for Northern Districts this past month and an admission he's well ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery in June.

New Zealand's second-highest test wicket-taker is unwilling to commit to a return date and his international career remains in limbo. He will stick with plan A, which is to continue with the Knights then rejoin Brisbane Heat in the Australian Twenty20 Big Bash for year two of his three-year contract, starting on December 22.