Cricket: Injuries getting to Bond

Shane Bond says another injury setback could force him into an early retirement. Photo / Reuters

New Zealand cricketer Shane Bond knows another injury could spell the end of his international career.

The fast bowler is currently convalescing from an abdominal injury that saw him forced out of the South African tour and it will be another three weeks before he can pick up a ball again.

The injury will keep him out of the Chappell-Hadlee series and the matches against Bangladesh later this month.

Bond is currently running and doing weight training and while he still has the passion to return to the pitch, he realises another setback could force him into an early retirement.

He said there is a limit to how many times this can happen and he is now an injury or two away from giving it the flick.

Bond is keen to be back for England in February but has been psychologically beaten down by having to consistently work back from injury.

He said it is disappointing but there is nothing much he can do.

If Bond can start bowling again by Christmas, he will look to return to club and domestic cricket and put his hand up for Black Caps selection in February.

- NEWSTALK ZB