Cricket: Bond seeks answer to heat, humidity problems

SYDNEY - Fast bowler Shane Bond will visit a physiologist in Perth in a bid to remedy a problem that could affect his future with the New Zealand team.

Bond's low tolerance to heat and, particularly, humidity was illustrated a fortnight ago when he left the Gabba in Brisbane with heat exhaustion in a warm-up game against Australia A.

It took an intravenous drip and two days of recovery before he felt ready to bowl again.

Conditions were moderate in Brisbane on Saturday when New Zealand beat South Africa, but Bond still felt uncomfortable and, clearly perspiring, had to leave the field midway through his bowling spell.

He returned to finish with outstanding figures of four for 37, giving him 10 tri-series wickets in four games. However, the 26-year-old realised that his reaction to muggy conditions was something that could return to cause problems.

"The humidity I do find tough," Bond said yesterday.

"Conditions in Brisbane were reasonably cool by the standards there.

"I went out for breakfast that morning and saw it was okay and thought, 'This is what I want'."

When Bond toured India with New Zealand A last year he found conditions "tough but not too bad".

However, coming off his long run for lengthy periods of a test in the subcontinent held an unknown degree of difficulty.

"Obviously it would be good to find out what I can do to sort it out and feel a wee bit better. There's someone in Perth who maybe I can have a talk to, so it will be interesting to see what is said."

The New Zealanders arrive in Perth next Wednesday ahead of their final preliminary match, against South Africa.

Captain Stephen Fleming said Bond had a key role in the one-day team because of his ability to take wickets, the best way to slow a run-rate.

"He bowls at a good clip, but what he's showing most to me is that he has good mental toughness because he comes back after being hit," Fleming said.

"He's done that twice now. He's come back and wrapped up the tail. It's a bit of strikepower which is very valuable. We saw it in the tests and, as a captain, it's something I've been seeking for quite a while."

While Bond was happy to be taking wickets, he was keen to lower his economy rate - something Shaun Pollock and Glenn McGrath were achieving with the new ball for South Africa and Australia.

"There's still the same problem for me ... There's an over where I lose my consistency and let myself down. But I'm still picking up wickets, so I'm reasonably happy."

Bond said it was hard work bowling at the start and at the end because batsmen were waiting to pounce on anything loose. He relished the challenge and revelled in his role which has helped to push New Zealand to the series lead.

"I think there's a huge self-belief in the team at the moment. Everyone's contributing. In the three wins we've had so far, we've hung in there. There's a huge team spirit - it's a great buzz."

- NZPA