Corey Anderson isn't planning on being 'just a batsman' for too long.

But the 25-year-old can't yet claim the all-rounder tag on his return to international cricket after an absence of seven months.

Corey Anderson. Photo: YouTube.

He will operate solely as a batsman in New Zealand's two upcoming Twenty20 matches against Sri Lanka, the first of which is at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval this afternoon, and for at least two of the following three T20 games against Pakistan.

Corey will remain a specialist batsman for a while longer.

He may get to roll his arm over in the final match against Pakistan, or in the opening ODI against the visitors on January 25.

The back problem side-lining him for an extended spell has proved tough to recover from, but Corey is still keen to deliver his left-arm medium-fast seamers.

"I can see myself playing as a batter only, but it's not something I want to bring forth at any stage yet," Corey says.

"I'm still young, have got a lot of cricket to play and bowling-wise it helps the balance of our team. Brendon [McCullum] and Hess [coach Mike Hesson] have always wanted balance in that team, whether it's myself or Mitch [Mitchell Santner] or Neesh [Jimmy Neesham] doing that all-rounder role.”

Corey has impressed as a batsman only in domestic limited-overs matches for the Northern Knights this summer and admitted it hasn't all been bad as a non-bowler.

"There's been times when I haven't missed it at all – Twenty-20s when you get belted back over your head.

"But it's something that I've always loved doing and I can't wait to get back into it."

Corey admitted his long recovery and rehabilitation programme was frustrating.

"I wouldn't say it's been a smooth one. I had a decent sit-out period, I had a bit of a hiccup and it sort of flared up again. I've looked at it now as if I come back again too early, it could potentially put me out for a few more months again.

"I think that's the mind-frame I've got to have as well - you always want to go out there and play and you want to do well and want to try what you can.

"But you know the reality is I don't want to sit out for too much longer - it's been a long time and it has been frustrating as well.

He acknowledged, with back woes in the past, that "it's not going to be my last injury".

"I'd love to say it will be, but I'm sure I'll get more niggles down the track. I've had enough of them now to be able to deal with them.

Corey will be required to contribute with the bat to a Black Caps T20 side without dynamic captain Brendon McCullum.

He averaged 38.25 with the bat for the Knights in this season's domestic T20 competition with a strike-rate of 153, and is averaging 70.33 in the one-day Trophy campaign.

"Being a sole batter there, with no bowling loads, means I've got to get runs," he says.

"That's always nice to go back to the domestic scene and prove a point and come into this series with a bit of form."

Corey knows his return is timely, with New Zealand's squad of 15 for the ICC World T20 event to be named next month.

"It's probably the time to sort combinations out and Hess and the selectors will have their plans in place.

"We'll have to do all we can over these next five games to I guess stamp our mark and prove a point to try and make it."

The match gets underway at 3pm today at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

- Stuff