New Zealand great Daniel Vettori is looking forward to returning to international action in the first one-dayer against England at Lord’s on Friday.
The 34-year-old left-arm spinner, who has been struggling with an Achilles injury, last played international cricket in a World Twenty20 match against England in Sri Lanka last September.
And Friday’s match will be his first 50 overs per side international since he took time out from that format following New Zealand’s 2011 World Cup semi-final defeat by Sri Lanka.
“It’s nice to be back with the team, and to play some cricket I hope,” Vettori told reporters at Lord’s on Thursday.
New Zealand rushed over Vettori ahead of schedule before the second Test at Headingley after spinner Bruce Martin suffered a tour-ending calf injury.
But in the end they decided against playing Vettori in Leeds because of concerns his body would not stand up to a lengthy bowling stint.
New Zealand went on to lose the Test by 247 runs as they suffered a 2-0 series whitewash.
For all his experience, having taken 282 wickets in 272 ODIs at 31.48, Vettori admitted to a degree of nervousness.
“I’ve only bowled a couple of times in domestic games as well, so there’s a little bit of trepidation going into it.”
Vettori said that during his injury lay-off, he had contemplated retirement but that now his intention was to play in all three international formats and represent New Zealand at the 2015 World Cup which they will co-host with Australia.
“When you’re away from the game, it probably rejuvenates your love of it — and you actually want to get back into it.”
Vettori has played a warm-up match against a Northamptonshire XI, helping himself to 150 and five wickets in the process.
“No disrespect to the opposition, but it was relatively easy,” he said.