Cricket: Bond keen to return to the top

Shane Bond turned 34 a fortnight ago, and remains the country's fastest bowler. Photo / Brett Phibbs

His motivation is high, his pace remains sharp and he's excited to be back.

But Shane Bond isn't looking for any short cuts from the New Zealand selectors now that he has been cleared to return to the national side after his stint with the Indian Cricket League ended last month.

New Zealand are due to tour Sri Lanka in August-September, around the same time an A team is expected to visit India. The Canterbury quick hopes to be on one of them, but insisted on one stipulation: no easy stroll back into the colours.

"I've spoken to [selection panel manager] Glenn Turner and said I'm available to be picked but I expect to be picked on merit, like everyone else," Bond said yesterday.

"I hoped that through my domestic cricket [for Canterbury last summer] it perhaps put me into consideration for an A tour. If it didn't then I'd try and do my time in first-class cricket and get back that way.

"But I've got to get cricket behind me and prove I can still perform."

Bond turned 34 a fortnight ago, and remains the country's fastest bowler. He played Twenty20 and one-day cricket for Canterbury last summer and was impressive - 19 wickets at 23.5 in the State Shield; 11 at 14.3 in the Twenty20 - even if he wasn't at full fitness.

"I still felt I was the fastest bowler going around, but I wasn't in the best condition and have made a real concerted effort to pick my fitness up.

"I wanted to see if I still had it in me to do the training required, and was pleasantly surprised and feel rejuvenated.

"I've done three months' solid training and it feels really good. If I get picked for the A side that's six weeks away, but whenever it may be I'm just excited about playing again." It's worth remembering Bond's New Zealand figures. In 17 tests, he's taken 79 wickets at 22.39 each; 67 ODIs have reaped 125 wickets at 19.32.

In his pomp before moving to the ICL, he was genuine world class, sharp, aggressive and armed with a searing yorker.

He gave New Zealand real potency, which has been sorely missing in his absence.

Bond admitted he had to be talked into returning to play for Canterbury last season.

"I was very close to giving up. I'd lost a little motivation and had a chat to [Canterbury chief executive and coach] Lee [Germon] and Bob [Carter]. They talked me into playing.

"It reinvigorated me. I realised how much I just enjoyed playing the game. I got a taste of it and that's why I decided to play four-day cricket again [next summer]."

Even if the New Zealand door had not reopened, he would have played the first-class programme for Canterbury "because I miss being in the environment; I like the competitiveness".

He has been bemused at the number of friends and family who have described his anticipated return to the national side as a chance to square off unfinished business.

"Yeah, that term," he laughed. "I've never really felt that. I almost feel like perhaps I've got another chance. In terms of what I want to achieve or how long I want to play, if I make it back I'll reassess those things."

But he insisted if he does get the call there will be no half measures. He likes targets, and aimed for two wickets per ODI; five wickets per test. But also ...

"I wanted to win man of the match, man of the series, things that would win games for the team. That was a real driving force for me. If I come back none of that will change."