Cricket: Bond means NZ can play master card

Tickets to the game: $40. Two warm cups of low alcohol beer: $8. Greasy punnet of chips and a hotdog: $9. Having Shane Bond in your team: Priceless.

Well not quite, but "it's an extremely high value", Stephen Fleming said in the lead-up to today's final one-day international against Sri Lanka. Bond (thigh), like Fleming (groin) and Scott Styris (knee) have slight niggles that are being assessed this morning before deciding whether they will play. New Zealand leads the split series 4-0 after one victory in 2004, one in 2005 and two in 2006.

Jeetan Patel, who took 2-23 in his home debut, deservedly took most of the plaudits from Friday, but Bond's intervention in the 39th over was undoubtedly the catalyst for winning.

He removed the dangerous Tillekeratne Dilshan with the second ball and all-rounder Farveez Maharoof with the fourth, taking Sri Lanka from 171-5 to a perilous 171-7.

He also reached speeds in excess of 151km/h to prove he's lost none of his speed post-injury.

Bond finished with 3-39. Chris Cairns, who knows the trials and tribulations of being New Zealand's spearhead, said Bond's statistics were unbelievable.

Bond now has 75 wickets in ODIs at less than 18.5 runs per wicket. His test average of 20.8 runs per wicket is also world class.

Cairns said that despite a career frequently and frustratingly interrupted, Bond deserved mention among the likes of Muttiah Muralitharan, Brett Lee and Andrew Flintoff.

"Having Shane there is that weapon you turn to when you need a wicket," Cairns said. "It's a good situation for us to be in."

Bond's captain enjoys the luxury of being able to turn to the speedster, though there is a sense of loss when Bond has been sidelined.

"When we've been short of it [Bond's pace] we've been exposed. When we've got it we really appreciate it. I think the public of New Zealand is seeing how good a side we can become with him in the side.

"It's important we keep him fit and keep him bowling well."

Patel, 25, in his fourth ODI, bowled with superb control in his 10 overs. Earmarked as a back-up to Daniel Vettori, Patel outshone his experienced teammate.

Patel has had help on hand with former New Zealand off-spinner John Bracewell coaching the side - but Patel said Bracewell concentrated more on the mental side of the game than technical issues.

"I'm a big confidence player and he's helped me with that."


- HERALD ON SUNDAY