BRISBANE, Oct 31: Key New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori is making a quicker-than-expected recovery from injury and may yet play against Australia in next week’s opening cricket Test here.

The left-arm finger spinner will undergo a fitness check in Christchurch Friday and New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said his availability was not out of the question.

The Black Caps had been resigned to playing without Vettori until the third Test after he twisted his ankle during a warm-up match against an ACT Invitation XI.

New Zealand Cricket operations manager John Reid said from Wellington: “At this stage we’d like to think Daniel will be available for the second Test in Hobart.”

The Hobart Test starts on Nov 22.

Reid was far from convinced that Vettori’s comeback would be in time for the first Test, but said it would be an “optimistic but not unrealistic target” for him to return against South Australia in Adelaide on Nov 16 in the leadup game to the second Test.

The 22-year-old Vettori went home for treatment after sustaining the injury but will return to Australia Saturday if he proves his bowling fitness the day before.

“We’re optimistic but still very cautious about how quickly he gets back into it,” Fleming said Wednesday.

“He’s done a lot of work and when a guy does a lot of work they get the rewards they deserve.

“But I can’t give you anymore than the messages we’re getting out of home.

“We’re totally reliant on the medical panel and they say he’s making progress.”—Reuters