BLACKCAPS captain Daniel Vettori is in doubt for the side’s next match against England Lions after injuring his left hand while fielding in today’s game against Essex.
Vettori has had two stitches inserted into his index finger.
The stitches are likely to be in place for between seven and nine days. He is expected to be fit for the first test starting at Lords on May 15.
Team manager Lindsay Crocker explained: "He's cut the first knuckle, at the top, across it on the underside of the finger.
"There was a bit of blood but we thought maybe he might have done some other damage - so we wanted to get it x-rayed to see maybe whether there was a problem with the tendon or bone.
"But there are none of those - it's just a soft-tissue split and he's had two stitches.
"He should have the stitches out in about a week and should be fine."
"He will probably be struggling to play the next match, which will leave him short of a gallop before the Test.
"He wanted to play both these two games to get quite a few overs in. He's not going to get that opportunity now but should be right to play in the first Test."
"Daniel looked at it straightaway and ran off the field straightaway and feared the worst for a little while.
"But the worst would have been some injury to the bone, and that is not the case."
