Cairns rediscovers bowling form

New Zealand's morale before the Test series against Australia improved on Saturday with Chris Cairns taking five wickets against Queensland and spinner Daniel Vettori indicating he would be fit for the first Test.

Pace bowler Cairns, who has lacked rhythm with the ball following his return from a serious knee injury, took five for 71 from 22 overs in Brisbane to help dismiss Queensland for 347. Australia Test opener Matthew Hayden made 97.

New Zealand were 53 for three in reply, an overall lead of 150, at the close after the third and penultimate day of the touring side's final warm-up match.

The first game in the three-Test series against Australia starts in Brisbane on Thursday.

Vettori, stretchered off with a torn ankle ligament against an Australian Capital Territory Invitational side on October 21 and flown home to New Zealand, launched his comeback on Friday with four wickets for a New Zealand academy side against the State Auckland Aces in Christchurch.

He rejoined the team in Brisbane on Saturday and said he was confident of making the first Test.

"There is a little bit of uncertainty in my head but I'm confident about getting through the bowling," Vettori said.

"It's the other things I have to be nervous about and the true test will be a full day in the field.

"But I would love to play and I'm reasonably confident."

The 22-year-old Vettori, only just back from a year out of Test cricket with back problems, has taken 106 wickets in 31 Tests and has a good record against Australia, taking 20 wickets at an average of 26.40.

A New Zealand team spokesman said Vettori's progress would be monitored daily.

Nathan Astle, who made 223 in New Zealand's 444 for nine declared on Friday before suffering a groin strain, did not field on Saturday but an Australian Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) radio report said team officials were confident the 30-year-old would be fit to play in the first Test.

ABC Radio also reported Vettori looked tentative during some fitness drills on the ground during a break in play on Saturday.

Mathew Sinclair, on 17, and Craig McMillan, on 20, will be looking for quick runs when play resumes on Sunday at the Gabba ground after sharing an unbeaten fourth-wicket partnership of 44.

New Zealand were nine for three after Andrew Bichel (two for 14) and Michael Kasprowicz removed Mark Richardson, Matthew Bell and captain Stephen Fleming cheaply.

Mail Cricket Editor