All-rounder Chris Cairns' appearance at New Zealand's net session at Jade Stadium has lifted hopes that he will take some part in the National Bank Series with India.

While he will not play on his home ground in the third match on New Year's Day, Cairns had a light bowl and a long bat in the nets as New Zealand prepared for their next game.

Cairns is recovering from keyhole surgery, the latest treatment on a troublesome knee that required more full scale surgery last summer.

The only appearance he has made for the TelstraClear Black Caps this year has been in the Super Max International at the start of India's tour.

Cairns is looking to play a three-day match for the Canterbury A team and then possibly one or two State Shield matches before possibly being available for the last two One-Day Internationals at Auckland and Hamilton midway through January.

However, he is not rushing into his return as he felt that was a contributing to his breakdown last summer.

© CricInfo