Black Caps and Otago all-rounder Ian Butler is confident he will be able to take a full part in New Zealand's international limited-overs series against Bangladesh next month.
Butler, who has been named in the one-day and twenty/20 national squads, strained an adductor muscle while playing for Otago in a twenty/20 match against Auckland at Colin Maiden Park on Tuesday night and had to bat with a runner, raising concerns he might miss the opening match of the series - a twenty/20 fixture at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on February 3.
But Butler eased fears yesterday, telling the Otago Daily Times the injury was progressing well.
"It is actually feeling good," Butler said. "I've taken an anti-inflammatory during the last couple of days and it seems to be OK. I'll just keep doing my rehab on it and I should be able to play in the twenty/20."
Groin strains can take a while to heal but Butler said he was able to move freely without pain and expects to be fit in time.
Butler has been one of the more effective bowlers in the domestic twenty/20 competition this summer, with 14 wickets at an average of 12.78.
His haul of six for 28 this season was a New Zealand domestic record and Butler had taken two for nine before he got injured against Auckland.
