Cricket: Instant success for Bond

GALLE - Fast bowler Shane Bond marked his comeback to international cricket in style today, taking a wicket with his first ball during New Zealand A's two-day match against a Combined Districts XI in Chennai, India.

Bond, who has not played a test or one-day international since 2007, made a morale-boosting start to his graduated return to the New Zealand senior side by splaying the stumps of opening batsman Thalaivan Sargunam.

He then affected another breakthrough to have figures of two for 14 after four overs after New Zealand A were asked to bowl first in the second round clash at the annual Buchi Babu All-India Invitation Tournament.

The 34-year-old is among the limited overs reinforcements due to join New Zealand's tour of Sri Lanka for two Twenty20 matches and a short Tri-Series after the two-test series concludes in Colombo on August 30.

Bond, who was unavailable for NZA's earlier games after being laid low with a stomach bug, plans to resurrect his injury-plagued 17-test career when Pakistan tour New Zealand in November-December.

- NZPA