New Zealand Test spinner Daniel Vettori has been taken to Canberra Hospital with a severe leg injury following a fall in the three-day match against the ACT President's X1 at Manuka Oval.

Vettori fell heavily while attempting a catch off his own bowling when ACT batsman Matthew Phelps drove a ball straight back to him on the last ball of the 18th over.

After a five-minute break in the game, Vettori was stretchered from the ground in pain, with his right lower leg heavily strapped.

NZ officials are awaiting diagnosis of his problem but it seems a damaging blow with the first Test in Brisbane due to start early next month.

At lunch, Phelps is 37 not out and Jack Smith's 28 with the ACT one for 68 from 32 overs.

Chris Cairns, returning from an eight-month lay-off from cricket due to a knee injury, has the only wicket, that of Corey Richards in the fifth over for just one run.

© 2001 AAP