Shane Bond

After the tournament he suffered a foot injury, one of many that would marr his career. However he was back in action for New Zealand's 2002 tour of the West Indies. He was New Zealand's top wicket taker in their first ever series win in the Caribbean. He continued to bowl well, again leading the New Zealand bowling averages at the 2003 world cup. However, shortly after the tournament he suffered a stress fracture in his back. Whilst he initially planned to make a comeback in February 2004, Bond remained out of the side until August 2005. However his remodelled action has proven just as lethal. In his second match after his return Bond took 6-19 against India.

If Bond can remain fit he has the potential to be New Zealand's greatest ever ODI bowler. His strike rate in one dayers is a phenomenal 26, the best in the world at present, and his bowling average is 18.5, equally unbelievable. As a fast bowler he rivals Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar for pace and his inswinging yorker is a frightening prospect for any player.

Best Performances

On 26 January 2002, Shane Bond bowled New Zealand to a great victory over Australia, getting 5/25. Later, in the Cricket World Cup, Bond bowled brilliantly again, getting 6/23 again against Australia (New Zealand's best bowling performance in ODIs at the time) - including getting Damien Martyn and Brad Hogg in consecutive deliveries, but New Zealand were defeated thanks to dismal batting.

Recently, against India, Bond saved New Zealand from losing with an amazing 6/19, including the wickets of Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag. These are New Zealand's best bowling performance in ODIs to date.

In the first Test match against West Indies, Bond bowled a phenomenal spell, mixing reverse swing with sharp pace and accuracy to rip West Indies' middle order out. He took 5-69, his fourth 5-wicket haul in just 13 Tests, and went on to win the Man of the Match award. By his own admission, this was one of Bond's best innings ever. New Zealand, thanks to Bond's spell, went on to defeat West Indies by 27 runs.

External links

• [Cricinfo Player Profile : Shane Edward Bond]

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