Bond returns to revive struggling New Zealand
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
COLOMBO, Sept 1 (AFP): New Zealand's pace spearhead Shane Bond makes a comeback to official cricket after two years when he plays in a Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka here on Wednesday.
Bond, 34, regarded as the best New Zealand fast bowler since Richard Hadlee, was delighted to be playing again for his country after snapping links with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Bond, who last played for New Zealand in November 2007, hoped he could meet the expectations from team-mates and fans alike on his highly-anticipated return.
"I think I set myself pretty high standards and it is up to me to meet those," he said. "I always strive to be the best bowler in the world, nothing's changed there."
Bond's fiery pace fetched him 79 wickets in 17 Tests, 125 from 67 one-day internationals and 12 in nine Twenty20 matches till he was banished for his ICL connections.
New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (capt), Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Neil Broom, Grant Elliott, Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan, Ian Butler, Shane Bond, Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel.
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Sanath Jayasuraiya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Mahela Udawatte, Chamara Kapugedara, Gihan Rupasinghe, Angelo Mathews, Isuru Udana, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Kaushal Lokuarachchi.
Bond, 34, regarded as the best New Zealand fast bowler since Richard Hadlee, was delighted to be playing again for his country after snapping links with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Bond, who last played for New Zealand in November 2007, hoped he could meet the expectations from team-mates and fans alike on his highly-anticipated return.
"I think I set myself pretty high standards and it is up to me to meet those," he said. "I always strive to be the best bowler in the world, nothing's changed there."
Bond's fiery pace fetched him 79 wickets in 17 Tests, 125 from 67 one-day internationals and 12 in nine Twenty20 matches till he was banished for his ICL connections.
New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (capt), Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Neil Broom, Grant Elliott, Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan, Ian Butler, Shane Bond, Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel.
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Sanath Jayasuraiya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Mahela Udawatte, Chamara Kapugedara, Gihan Rupasinghe, Angelo Mathews, Isuru Udana, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Kaushal Lokuarachchi.