New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns' latest knee injury is being assessed by his surgeon Paul Armour tonight.

Armour operated on the leg last year when Cairns had knee surgery which kept him out of all cricket until the Australian tour.

Cairns took no part on the third day of the first National Bank Test at Jade Stadium today as the England batsman feasted on rich pickings.

But whether Cairns will play any further part in the Test series will be decided after he is assessed by the surgeon. A decision will be made on his situation tomorrow.

He will bat in New Zealand's second innings.

Meanwhile, the reason the umpires called play off early was because the light at the ground was well below the specified standard according to light meters and both captains agreed that play should be called off for the day.

Play will start tomorrow at 10am.

© CricInfo