Injury-plagued New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori announced today he will be sidelined for at least six months but refused to call time on an international career stretching back 16 years.
Vettori said he had informed New Zealand Cricket he could not accept a Black Caps' contract for the upcoming season as he knew much of the year would be spent in rehabilitation after an ankle operation.
"I feel that with my present injury situation it would be wrong for me to take a retainer contract," he said.
"Given the time I'll need to spend out of the game with my recovery and the level of uncertainty about when I may play again, it doesn't feel right that I take up a retainer contract this year."
The 34-year-old said it would be at least six months before he knew whether he could make a return to full fitness and he would make a decision on his future then.
"I will now focus on my rehabilitation in the coming months, with the overall goal of making a return to the cricket field during the summer months -- hopefully it goes well," he said.
