CANBERRA (Reuters)
New Zealand's matchwinning allrounder Chris Cairns has said he had fast-tracked his comeback from knee surgery so that he could be ready to face Australia in the first Test next month.

Cairns has joined the touring side after staying home to do more strengthening and fitness work while the Kiwis played a drawn tour opener against the Queensland Academy of Sport in Brisbane this week. He is expected to be named in the New Zealand side to play against an Australian Capital Territory President's XI at Canberra's Manuka Oval starting on Sunday.

"If it had been another tour or another team I might have stayed behind and kept working on my fitness but I just can't resist the challenge against Australia," Cairns said. Australia's three-Test series against New Zealand starts in Brisbane on November 8.

"I'd like to have a little more work behind me but I'm happy with what I have got," Cairns said. "A lot of the game at the top level is basically mental in any case."

Australia beat New Zealand 3-0 last year but Cairns said the secret to toppling the world champions was staying in the game as long as possible. "You're not going to blow them off the park but if you can stick with them into day five you are in with a chance.

"If we can stay fit and healthy we have an experienced team capable of doing that."

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