Vettori to be 'strongly considered' for Windies Test series if body up to 'rigours'

Veteran New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori will reportedly be 'strongly considered' for the West Indies Test series next month if he believes that his body is up to the rigours of the five-day game.

Initially cautious after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery in Britain in June, Vettori is available for New Zealand in all three cricketing formats and earlier this month earmarked the India series in January-February as his likely comeback.

However, Stuff.co.nz reports that Vettori's speedy recovery and impressive form for his country's domestic side Northern Districts piqued the interest of the national selectors, with selector Bruce Edgar saying that although it is over to Vettori as to when he would play, they would welcome his availability sooner rather than later.

Vettori played the last of his 112 tests in July last year but his form adds to a selection puzzle for the first West Indies test in Dunedin on December 3 that became clearer last night after favourable scans for Ross Taylor and Corey Anderson, the report added.