Cricket: Sri Lanka relaxed over Bond's return

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka refused to get caught up in the hype surrounding Shane Bond's return to international cricket with captain Kumar Sangakkara down playing the fast bowler's influence in tomorrow morning's (12.30am NZT) Twenty20 series opener at R Premadasa Stadium.

While Bond's first appearance for New Zealand in nearly two years will be carefully monitored by captain Daniel Vettori and back home, Sangakkara said his players had not made any special preparations for the next stage of the 34-year-old's second coming.
Bond's decision to join the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League (ICL) Twenty20 competition last year made him ineligible for New Zealand selection, a situation that changed in June when he severed ties with the now defunct organisation.

Those ICL matches will form the basis of Sri Lanka's analysis of Bond, who last played Sri Lanka in the World Cup semifinal at Jamaica in April 2007.

"The ICL matches were telecast here so everyone's been watching those games and having a look at our Shane bowls," Sangakkara said.

"I don't think he's lost any form, he looks pretty strong and fit. We already know what he can do - he can bowl quick, he's got the variations.

"We just have to make sure we do what we do best against him - play positively and play attacking cricket."

That strategy worked a treat at Sabina Park where Bond's 10 overs cost 59; the strike bowler was limited to just one wicket as Sri Lanka crushed New Zealand by 81 runs to cruise into the World Cup final.

Although confident a similar batting line-up could handle Bond's initiation, he admitted the injury-plagued speedster's return would be a massive boost for a New Zealand side well beaten in the two test series.

"It's always nice to have such a great player on your side, all sides look for these kinds of players who are match winner's who work hard and are inspirational," he said.

Vettori again sought to temper the expectations associated with Bond's return.

"He'll want to find his way back into it and not want to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders so we'll let him ease into it," Vettori said adding: "hopefully he'll get the results that everyone's accustomed to."

New Zealand secured one positive outcome before they started training under lights last night when news filtered through that arch spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's groin strain had ruled him out of the two-match series.

His place has been taken by legspinner Malinga Bandara, prompting Vettori to quip "the news just gets better".

Muralitharan pulled up lame on the fifth day of the second test but could be available for next week's condensed Tri-Series featuring India.

Muralitharan's temporary absence offers welcome respite for vice-captain Brendon McCullum who was bamboozled by the world's leading test wicket taker in last week's series finale.

McCullum was twice undone by Muralitharan at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, dismissals that saw one of New Zealand's most dangerous batsmen average just 15.25 with a highest score of 29.

At last McCullum has form in the shortest version of the game, he is the world's leading Twenty20 runmaker with 689 in 26 games at 31.31 - and a strikerate of 123.69.

Vettori sensed his deputy was eager to atone for a poor test series.

"He's looking forward to it, he's done well in Twenty20s in the past back to the Indian series (last summer) where we won us a couple of games," he said.

"He'll be calling on that form and wanting to turn a few things around."

New Zealand line-up is practically pencilled with a decision between seamer Ian Butler and spinner Nathan McCullum the only issue to be finalised before the toss.

The flip of the coin is likely to have a huge bearing on the outcome as Premadasa traditionally favours the team batting first.

Sri Lanka lost their latest Twenty20 match against Pakistan by 52 runs on August 12 while the last 11 ODIs at the venue underline the need to call correctly.

Since England visited in late 2007 Sri Lanka have lost eight times at Premadasa - and were asked to chase on all but one occasion.

- NZPA