New Zealand top-order batsman Mathew Sinclair today became the third player to reach a century in the three-day tour match against the ACT President's XI at Manuka Oval.

Sinclair was on 127 not out at lunch having shared a 182-run first wicket partnership with opener Matthew Bell, who was still at the crease on 67 not out.

The New Zealanders had 202 runs remaining to get in two sessions of play to catch the ACT XI's big total of 6-439.

That total included two centuries to ACT batsmen yesterday.

The Kiwi pair made the most of ideal batting conditions and Sinclair, in particular, impressed with some glorious cover-driving.

New Zealand manager Jeff Crowe said injured spin bowler Daniel Vettori would return home on Thursday and would be out of cricket for four to six weeks.

Vettori badly twisted his ankle in when bowling on the first day's play.

And although an MRI scan revealed there were no broken bones, New Zealand team management said medical experts had confirmed the syndesmosis ligament - which runs across in front of the ankle - had a slight tear.

"Daniel will be returning to New Zealand on Thursday. The prognosis ... is four to six weeks at this point," New Zealand team manager Jeff Crowe told reporters today.

"What we're saying here is that the tour is not exactly over for Dan and hopefully he'll be back for the Third Test match.

"That's probably the realistic way to look at it."

Crowe said a media ban was in place on Vettori until he returned to New Zealand. He said Glen Sulzberger became New Zealand's frontline spinner now but a replacement player would be sent out in time for the next tour game in Brisbane starting Thursday.

© 2001 AAP