Image courtesy of: The Telegraph

Vettori will return when he feels ready

New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori has undergone a surgical procedure to repair his troublesome Achilles tendon in London in a bid to prolong his international career.

Vettori represented New Zealand during the recently concluded Champions Trophy and did fairly well, considering the fact that he had been out of action since September last year.

However, as the tournament progressed, Vettori looked to be in more and more pain until New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson decided enough was enough.

“I did indeed have surgery on Wednesday,” Vettori told the New Zealand Herald. “I’m hoping it once and for all clears up my persistent and chronic Achilles problem and lets me train and get fit again.”

In relation to his comeback, Vettori clearly stated that he does not plan to rush his return and will only do so when he feels ready.

“In regards to my future, I will see how my rehabilitation goes before I speculate on my career,” he said. “I have no set plans.”

Vettori played in his first ODI in two years against Sri Lanka, where he took a wicket and gave away 16 runs off six overs.

However, as the match progressed, Vettori clearly looked to be in discomfort and even needed saline injections to help deal with the intense pain.

Vettori also played in New Zealand’s match against England, but left the field after bowling five overs.

Vettori has not represented New Zealand in a Test match since July 2012 and his last Twenty20 International came during the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last September.

Vettori’s persisting injury has caused captain Brendon McCullum to call on the national selectors and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to limit the 34-year-old’s workload.

“It’s going to be a rolling conversation that we need to have with Dan as to what he needs to prioritise with where he’s at in his career,” McCullum said. “It would be nice to think that he’d be able to play every game in all three forms but it’s not realistic. I certainly see a place for him in the team. It would be silly for us to sweep away 112 Test matches, nearly 400 wickets and six Test centuries.”