Cricket: Bond to provide massive boost

Shane Bond

As long as his stomach obliges, Shane Bond is set to provide a major boost to his New Zealand teammates in tomorrow's Chappell-Hadlee cricket opener against Australia at Eden Park.

Pace bowler Bond will play his first home international since January 2003 -- against India, also at Eden Park -- as long as he overcomes the gastronomic illness that forced him to miss practice yesterday.

The New Zealand management weren't concerned by the bug, believing Bond could have trained yesterday at a pinch and should be unhindered for the first of three day-night clashes.

If he can find his best, Bond is a potential match-winner, having made life miserable for Australia in the past, including a memorable six for 23 against Australia at the 2003 World Cup.

Bond was still returning to the international stage when New Zealand were squashed 0-5 in the home series against Australia in February.

Fellow right-arm seam bowler Kyle Mills said the 30-year-old's presence alone gave New Zealand reason for confidence -- particularly in conjunction with the established class of left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori.

"It's massive having Bondy back. He's a strike bowler, he's out there to get wickets," Mills said.

"If he can find a rhythm and get wickets early, it will put pressure on them. And then Dan comes in...

"We've got Dan in the first place, put him with Shane and it gives us 20 overs of world class bowling. It's up to the rest of the bowling unit to put together that other 30 overs."

Mills outshone Bond and Vettori as New Zealand's best bowler during the recent 0-4 series loss in South Africa.

However, Mills said it was clear in South Africa that Bond was still improving after just a few months back in New Zealand colours. That followed a two-year absence battling back stress fractures.

"It's a big step from bowling in club cricket to playing international cricket, especially overseas," Mills said.

"This is another stepping stone for him and I think his best is yet to come, which is great for this side and New Zealand cricket."

Australian allrounder Andrew Symonds was wary of Bond, remembering well the World Cup carnage he wreaked at Port Elizabeth.

"I do remember that being a quality spell of bowling," Symonds said.

"Normally when he does well, New Zealand does well. He's one we're going to have to nip in the bud a bit."

Australian bowling plans would have taken a step forward yesterday with the news that New Zealand would open the batting with Lou Vincent in place of absent skipper Stephen Fleming.

Vincent will partner Nathan Astle, with Hamish Marshall likely to play at three, as coach John Bracewell dispelled any prospect of a promotion to the top of the order for wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum or stand-in captain Vettori.

Bracewell's philosophy was that the opening overs of an innings were crucial and required specialist batsmen, particularly if a fielding team opted to use all the 20 overs of their "power play" straight away.

"We're using basically a three-pronged opening attack of offensive openers rather than defensive for that 20-over bracket," Bracewell said.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Australia would wear their new "away" uniform for the first time in Saturday's game.

The canary yellow makes way for green with yellow trim, in a move likely to have lucrative apparel sales benefits for Cricket Australia.

- NZPA