James Franklin raring to get back in the action

CRAIG SIMCOX/Dominion Post

WELCOME RETURN: Wellington's James Franklin will be back at the Basin Reserve today, but the all-rounder will be restricted to batting duties only.

Relevant offers

Cricket

Injury clouds over Guptill, Oram only negative NZ batsmen dine out again but places open Gavaskar inducted into ICC Hall of Fame Lucky break lead Bracewell down cricket path Wizards internationals out of T20 match McCullum leads NZ to win over Zimbabwe McCullum after another Black Caps batting blitz India struggle past Sri Lanka for Tri-Series win Afghanistan to play first ODI against Pakistan Black Caps duelling for spots ahead of Proteas

IT'S not surprising James Franklin is licking his lips at the prospect of returning to cricket as a specialist batsman today.

The all-rounder has been out of action since injuring his left knee, almost a month ago, but some unusual, successful treatment means he will bat in Wellington's middle order in a one-dayer against Central Districts at the Basin Reserve.

Franklin said it had been another frustrating month in the gym but he was confident his patella tendonitis was manageable.

"I had a blood injection into the knee area and that seems to have worked really well," Franklin said.

"I'm using some patches angina patients usually use, they're called nitroglycerin patches to help blood flow around the knee and they seem to be doing the trick.

"I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in."

Franklin's enthusiasm to pick up a bat is understandable.

Today's match will be played on the same pitch that Peter Ingram and Luke Woodcock posted double centuries on in a Plunket Shield run-fest ending on Tuesday.

"Hopefully it will be a high-scoring game. Crowds always come to see high-scoring games, so hopefully we will get a few in to watch."

Though he won't roll the arm over today, Franklin winces when asked if he will play it safe as a batsman only this summer.

"Not at all. I've had a few bowls on it and it [the knee] has felt really good. I'll just look to build that up over the next week and hopefully be able to bowl in the game either just before Christmas or just after."

Franklin has ambitions to return to the international fold but recognises the need to walk before he runs.

"I'll just look to make my way back into cricket and hopefully perform and stake a claim for possible international stuff later on in the season. But that's a couple of months away and my first job is to play well for Wellington."

Franklin returns to a Wellington camp stunned by Central's remarkable run-chase on Tuesday.

To compound their misery, Central have boosted their side with the dynamic trio of Jacob Oram, Graham Napier and Brendon Diamanti.

"It's probably shattering for the guys, what happened, but they can quickly get back on the horse and hopefully perform well and get a win," Franklin said.

Wellington coach Anthony Stuart is delighted to gain Franklin's experience and hitting power, but the news wasn't so good regarding another trio of Black Caps – Grant Elliott, Jesse Ryder and Mark Gillespie.

All three are on the comeback trail from injury and Stuart didn't want to speculate on potential return dates.

He played down the mental scarring from Tuesday's loss.

"The good thing is it's only a short turnaround so we've got to leave it behind and focus on a different format game – making sure we're up and ready to play," Stuart said.

In other second-round games today, Auckland host Otago at Colin Maiden Park and Northern Districts are home to Canterbury at Seddon Park.

HOW THEY LINE UP

Wellington (from): Matthew Bell (c), Cameron Merchant, Neal Parlane, James Franklin, BJ Crook, Stewart Rhodes, Luke Woodcock, Chris Nevin, Dewayne Bowden, Jeetan Patel, Malaesaili Tugaga, Robbie Schaw, Andy McKay
Central Districts (from): Jamie How (c), Peter Ingram, George Worker, Mathew Sinclair, Jacob Oram, Tim Weston, Bevan Griggs, Brendon Diamanti, Graham Napier, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Ewen Thompson, Michael Mason

When and where: Today, Basin Reserve from 11am
TAB: Wellington $1.87, Central $1.87

- © Fairfax NZ News