Cricket: Bond determined to make Champions mark

Shane Bond is starting to feel like he was never away.

And the New Zealand fast bowler is determined to make his mark as New Zealand begin their Champions Trophy campaign against their suddenly vulnerable hosts South Africa at Centurion tonight.

Bond, New Zealand's most threatening new-ball bowler since Sir Richard Hadlee, returned from Indian Cricket League activity for the one-day series in Sri Lanka en route to the republic.

And he's done enough to suggest he will add thrust to New Zealand's bowling attack.

"In the first couple of games it was like starting again, but I feel like I've slipped back in pretty easily," Bond said from South Africa yesterday.

"It almost feels like I haven't been away, having guys you know around you. I'm really enjoying it."

Bond was rated among the game's most penetrative new-ball exponents - particularly in the ODI game - before his two-season exile due to his contract with the unsanctioned Indian operation.

His 69 internationals have produced 128 wickets at a fine 19.44 apiece.

Bond is happy with his speed, although he isn't concerned with the km/h rating.

"Everyone gets carried away by the speed gun radar but especially on slow wickets sometimes you need to take the pace off or you can become easier to hit," he said.

"Still I feel like I'm getting it through pretty well. I've been concentrating on bowling well in my second and third spells in the last couple of games and everything's coming together pretty nicely."

Whether the same can be said for the New Zealand team is another matter.

In their final warmup match they handed out a resounding thumping to India, but that followed a poor performance against a club team, in a match they embarrassingly lost.

So consistency is an issue. There are a couple of selection matters for captain Dan Vettori and coach Andy Moles to ponder before tonight's match.

Daryl Tuffey or Kyle Mills to partner Bond is one; is a second spinner, Jeetan Patel, a consideration; and should Vettori bump himself up the order ahead of the erratic allrounder Jacob Oram is a third point for conjecture.

The opening match yesterday threw a spanner in South Africa's works - and also produced the awarding of the first dunce's hat of the tournament.

Sri Lanka belted the hosts, scoring 319 for eight - Tillekaratne Dilshan enhancing his reputation as the game's new top-order charger with 106 in 92 balls - then had South Africa 206 for seven when rain arrived.

The 55-run win, under the Duckworth Lewis system, gave the tournament an early spark.

And the dunce? Off to the corner of the dressing room for South African fast bowler Dale Steyn, who announced before the match that "I really believe no side can match us at the Champions Trophy".

South Africa, who have previous form for falling on the big stage, must beat New Zealand or their ambitions will almost certainly be shot.

"All the games I've ever played against them have been tight, one way or the other," Bond said.

"They respect us as opposition and will come at us hard."

The draw for the rapid, 15-match tournament has done New Zealand a favour.

When they come to play England in their final group game they will know exactly what is needed to make the semifinals. But if they haven't beaten at least one of South Africa or Sri Lanka by then, it might not matter.