Chris Cairns [Images] has turned down an offer to rejoin New Zealand's [Images] injury-hit test Team for this month's three-match series against Australia [Images].

Cairns retired from the Test arena last year to concentrate on one-day cricket as the demands of playing both were taking a toll on his body.

With the Kiwis battered by injuries in the lead-up to the series, New Zealand coach John Bracewell asked Cairns to consider making a comeback next month but the all-rounder said he is unable to play.

"I've closed that chapter of my career," Cairns told reporters on Thursday.

"I've still got a goal to play the next World Cup and if I play Test cricket I could ruin that.

"It's about me following a dream and I still think I can get there."

Bracewell said he fully understood Cairns' position.

"His response was basically that he was flattered by the offer but he had drawn a line under that," Bracewell said.

"He also didn't really think his ankle would last the rigours of a Test match. He's drawn that line but I had to ask him and he understood that."