CANBERRA, Oct 21: Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori was stretchered off the field after spraining his ankle on Sunday as New Zealand endured a tough day in the field against an Australian Capital Territory Invitation XI.

Opener Jack Smith hit an unbeaten 145 as the home side scored 280 for three on the first day of the three-day match after Chris Cairns had removed Corey Richards for one.

Vettori was completing his second over when he fell and was taken from Manuka Oval on a stretcher and then by ambulance to a Canberra hospital for X-rays. He is now in doubt for the first Test in Brisbane starting on Nov 8.

A team spokesman said Vettori was finally taken to the team hotel where he was resting with his ankle packed in ice.

“Sometimes with those ankle sprains they can be very sore for a start and then get better reasonably quickly,” the spokesman said. “We’re optimistic he’ll make a quick recovery but it’s too early to say at this stage.”

Key all-rounder Cairns marked his return from knee surgery with an early wicket but had no further successes, finishing with one for 85 from 20 overs.

Left-arm paceman Shayne O’Connor was more successful, taking two for 55 from his 20 overs.