Cairns will play for Canterbury against Otago in a pre-season game at Aorangi Stadium in what he describes as ``an exploratory'' fixture.

The hard-hitting batsman and strike bowler has been nursing a knee injury since returning from New Zealand's tour of Sri Lanka and he is ready to re-enter the fray after three months of rehabilitation.

It will be his first outing of the season and if he comes through unscathed he will probably play a part in Canterbury's first official game in the Max series, against Northern Districts at Jade Stadium (Lancaster Park) on November 6.

``I'm not back to fitness yet and it wouldn't be fair to go straight into a competitive game the next Friday night without seeing exactly where I am,'' Cairns said yesterday.

Cairns said his enthusiasm was high.

``The break has done a lot for me mentally. After watching the guys overseas and in Bangladesh you wish you were out there. It's been frustrating not being able to continue, but I realise I'm progressing with my plan to get back and this match on Sunday is just the first step.''

As with most New Zealand supporters, Cairns was hoping that the Black Caps would make the semi-finals of the mini World Cup in Dhaka when they had Sri Lanka five for three chasing 189 to win, but it was not to be.

``Sri Lanka are the world champions - you can't forget that,'' he said.

Convener of selectors Brian McKechnie has included Canterbury's five New Zealand representatives in Bangladesh - Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Stephen Fleming, Chris Harris, and Geoff Allott - in a strong team of 13.

Also included in the team, which will be captained by forceful opening batsman Llorne Howell, is medium-fast bowler Warren Wisneski, who has recently returned from overseas.

The team is: Howell (captain), Astle, McMillan, Fleming, Harris, Allott, Cairns, Ben Yock, Mark Hastings, Hamish Barton, Shane Bond, Darron Reekers, Wisneski.