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ADELAIDE - Shane Bond is set for a shock return for the Black Caps against England today after making a speedy recovery from a back injury.
Bond was a surprise inclusion in the New Zealand 12 named last night and is almost certain to start the tri-series day-nighter.
Manager Lindsay Crocker said: "He's jumping out of his skin. He's ready to go, he knows his body better than any fitness trainer and I'd expect him to play."
Bond was forced off the field with back soreness during the loss to England in Hobart last week and is within sight of his 100th wicket from 53 ODIs.
Meanwhile, Jacob Oram is hoping to hit the ground running this afternoon. The all-rounder has been out of action since straining a hamstring in the test series against Sri Lanka.
But, with Oram back after proving his fitness on the domestic circuit, New Zealand will welcome some extra balance in today's line-up.
"It's a time when it's exciting to be back," Oram said yesterday.
"If it had gone on any longer, there could have been question marks raised about my World Cup prospects. I'm ready to go.
There were a few smiles and a bit of a buzz when I joined up with the team and hopefully we can inject a little more excitement and enthusiasm into proceedings."
The good news over Bond and Oram was tempered by the omission of front-line paceman Kyle Mills.
Mills had been rushed back to Australia at the same time as Oram despite question marks over his bowling form.
Oram said he'd listened to some of the criticism of the New Zealand team while recovering from his injury, and was aware that the cricketing public was now clamouring for a dramatic turnaround in fortunes, starting with tonight's game.
"I think the pressure's always there," he said. "The public always want us to win and to do well.
"Even if I was coming in at the start of the series I think the pressure would always be there.
"The fact that the results haven't gone our way doesn't change anything."
Oram said the showdown with England, who have already gained four points for their win against New Zealand at Hobart, was close to a must-win contest if his side were going to climb out of the mire and challenge for a place in the finals.
After tonight's match, New Zealand have only two further opportunities to knock over England and beat them to the finals, although they would also qualify if they managed to snatch a couple of unlikely wins against Australia.
- Additional reporting: NZPA
