Wellington - Former Test star Martin Crowe will take his first step towards a return to first-class cricket at the age of 49 when he plays in a second-division club match in Auckland on Saturday.
Crowe, who was forced into retirement by injuries in 1995 after playing 77 Tests and 143 one-day internationals for New Zealand, will bat at No 3 and captain the Cornwall reserve grade team in a match against Papatoetoe.
His club debut was delayed by a groin injury but Crowe hopes to step up to first-grade club cricket by the end of November and then prove he's still good enough to play for Auckland at first-class level.
He said "it's not quite four months ago since I decided on this, so I'm comfortable with where things are at."