KEY POINTS:
Paul Collingwood had barely stretched out from the rigours of his marathon flight from London before England's one-day cricket captain and his fellow batsmen received a welcome leg-up - confirmation Shane Bond will not feature against them this summer.
The termination of Bond's contract with New Zealand Cricket dovetailed with Collingwood's press conference, hours after the ODI squad touched down in Christchurch via Los Angeles and Auckland.
"Is that official is it?" Collingwood asked as news of Bond's career-ending decision filtered through.
"Obviously it will be a big loss for New Zealand. Any bowler who bowls 80 miles an hour plus is very difficult to play against.
"He's the spearhead of their attack and very good at the death as well, he'll be a big loss," said Collingwood, who admitted his side had been preparing to combat Bond throughout their two-month tour.
Test opener Andrew Strauss, who is currently playing for Northern Districts, earlier stated Bond's absence would be a massive fillip for the English given the quality of New Zealand's remaining seam bowlers, though Collingwood was more diplomatic when discussing his side's prospects in the five-match ODI series.
"It will be a massive challenge for us. We've played them a lot recently, in the World Cup, and they're a very clever side. They beat Australia here last year, they've got world class players that can take the game away from you."
Reminded Stephen Fleming and Craig McMillan are also missing from the side that comfortably beat England in their pivotal World Cup pool match last March, Collingwood reiterated the Black Caps would still be formidable in home conditions.
"They've still got good players, the squads they do pick, the [Ross] Taylors, Jacob Oram ... they can take the game away from you.
"I've always thought New Zealand are a canny side. No matter who comes in I'm sure they'll put a good side out."
Collingwood cast a critical eye over New Zealand's early season demolition of Bangladesh and was impressed.
"New Zealand did a professional job on them," he said. Brendon McCullum's 28-ball unbeaten 80 at Queenstown on New Year's Eve certainly left a lasting impression.
"Watching McCullum smash them all over the place ... you can say it was bad bowling but it was top stroke play there. He can obviously take the game away from you.
"The experience of [Daniel] Vettori is crucial ... they've got key individuals in the side, we know who they are."
England's ODI squad are rebuilding after missing the World Cup semifinals and are making good progress under Collingwood's stewardship and the coaching of Peter Moores.
After an early blip against the West Indies, England have beaten India (4-3) and Sri Lanka (3-2) away to hint at an imminent improvement in their International Cricket Council one-day ranking of seven.
England prepare for the ODI component of their tour with two 50-over matches against Canterbury this weekend before Twenty20 games in Auckland on February 5 and Christchurch two days later.
Bond, who is still able to play for Canterbury as a free agent, has turned down one last chance to terrorise the English batting line-up, saying it would be more appropriate for an up and coming bowler to be involved.
"I've had plenty of games against England and for me to go out and play denies a young guy a chance to play what might be their only game against an international side."
- NZPA
