Vettori and Oram expected to play Australia

The New Zealand camp has received a boost with the news that both Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram may regain their fitness in time for the series against Australia, which starts later this month.

Both Vettori and Oram had sustained back injuries - Vettori's problem surfaced during the second one-day match between New Zealand and the FICA World XI, while Oram hurt a bone in the region. Tests revealed, however, that Vettori had probably only damaged a tissue, while Oram's injury wasn't a stress fracture, as originally feared, but a stress reaction.

Commenting on the injuries, Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand general manager, told AAP: "He [Vettori] bowled today and felt good. We will continue to monitor his progress during the week and if he continues to improve he will play for Northern Districts on Sunday.

"Jacob will continue to undergo treatment and should return to batting following a couple of pain-free weeks before progressing to bowling. We are cautiously optimistic about the return of both players and will work with our medical advisers to ensure they are fit before their return to cricket."

Australia's tour of New Zealand will consist of five-one-day internationals, three Tests and a Twenty20 international. The ODI series begins on February 19, while the first Test will begin three weeks later.