Six years after last playing for Nottinghamshire in the English County Championship, Chris Cairns is heading back at the end of the southern summer.

Negotiations over a two-year contract were completed yesterday and an agreement reached which will allow Cairns to be available for the majority of New Zealand's international schedule.

Cairns' manager Leanne McGoldrick, of Christchurch, said: "Chris is first and foremost a New Zealand CLEAR Black Cap and his desire to represent his country is as strong as ever.

"He continues to be available for selection for the majority of New Zealand's international schedule," she said.

"Chris believes playing without long lay-offs can be beneficial to him and may help to extend his playing career. He is keen to keep his conditioning up all year round as age impacts on his body.

"Chris is a full-time professional cricket and believes the move to Notts is an important step in securing his cricketing future.

"However, he is very keen to make a significant contribution to New Zealand Cricket over the next two years," she said.

"Chris is aware of the importance of the current season and is relishing the prospect of playing cricket year round including defending the ICC KnockOut tournament in September 2002 and, ultimately, the World Cup in 2003."

NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said the game's ruling body in New Zealand was aware of Cairns' discussions with Notts.

"Throughout this process it has been obvious to me that Chris has a strong desire to play for the CLEAR Black Caps. He has been able to reach an agreement with Notts that allows him to be available to play for New Zealand between county seasons which effectively means from October to mid-April and encompasses all of our home internationals.

"He has also negotiated a condition which releases him for a minimum of 21 days during the county season when he will be available to play for New Zealand," he said.

Snedden said it had yet to be finalised with Cairns exactly what the programme he would be wanted for by New Zealand. But Sharjah in April next year, the ICC KnockOut defence and the Test series against the West Indies were on his list.

Snedden said Cairns had a legitimate right to secure his future livelihood even though that meant he would not be available for every international match.

"Chris has probably only two or three more years of international cricket left in him, injury and form permitting. It is perfectly understandable that he wants to maximise his income during this period and New Zealand Cricket respects his right to do so."

© CricInfo