KEY POINTS:
Welcome to the world of the new, improved Shane Bond.
The New Zealand pace bowler yesterday turned in one of his most miserly performances as his side over-ran Bangladesh in their second World Cup Super Eights contest, steaming to a win with nine wickets and more than 20 overs to spare.
On a day when Stephen Fleming posted his eighth one-day international century, Hamish Marshall scored his first 50 in 15 months, and Scott Styris took four wickets, it was hard to deny the class of Bond.
The right-arm quick was at his parsimonious best during his first spell, before returning at the 36-over mark to grab two quick wickets and begin a collapse that left Bangladesh with almost no chance of success.
As Bond not only made the breakthroughs but also tied down one end, the Bangladeshi batsmen self-destructed at the other against Styris, who starred with four for 43, and Jacob Oram who ended the innings with his third wicket.
Bond has now taken eight for 84 at 10.40 since starting the World Cup, and if he keeps snaring at least two wickets a game will go close to overhauling the tournament record of 20, set in 1999 by former left-armer Geoff Allott.
But it is his economy rate that has observers agog in the West Indies; the average concession of just 2.29 runs an over, meaning opposition batsmen are effectively forced to take escalating risks against the remaining bowlers.
Deemed man-of-the-match for his effort yesterday by an insightful ICC judging panel, Bond said it had taken a while but he'd woken up to the fact that his search for speed was sometimes proving counter-productive.
"I'm a better bowler now," he said yesterday. "I've taken the ego of the speed-radar out of the equation and have realised that you can't just bowl one pace on these wickets.
"I've tried to use the crease, change my length and pace, and use the slower ball and it's all starting to come together at this tournament; I think I'm a lot better than I used to be."
Bond's more shrewd approach has coincided with one of his more sustained periods of availability, and he knows that Allott's record will be on the line should New Zealand continue their run through to the final.
For all that, he says he's just as content to see that milestone slip by as long as he does enough to help his teammates win, and continue what is starting to look like one of New Zealand's best World Cup campaigns.
"The 20 wickets isn't something I've thought about. I'm quite happy for Geoff to keep that. I always try to take two wickets a game; that's the aim.
"I've managed to do it so far and if I keep it up, I'll be close."
Fleming, who led the chase with an unbeaten 102 off 92 balls and delivered on a recent comment that he was due for a major score, said he was feeling empowered by Bond's form, and particularly the paceman's ability to strike during the 35 to 37-over period.
"He's bowled very well at the top, there's no doubt about that," said Fleming. "But the second spell, when I throw him the ball to get a wicket, has been very successful for him.
"It's been a key ingredient in us keeping sides down to a manageable score. The length he's hitting has been high-class so it makes captaincy very easy."
Fleming struck 10 fours and three sixes in his second World Cup century, combining with Marshall in a 134 run unbroken stand for the second wicket and ensuring the total was eclipsed quickly enough to boost the team's overall run-rate.
There will be some concern over the second failure of Peter Fulton as a makeshift opener, but general satisfaction over another clinical and efficient effort, and the opportunity for more players to demonstrate their form.
"It's always important for me to make a contribution," said Fleming. "I've felt my form in this World Cup has been outstanding. I've been running myself out. I had another few goes at it today - but if I can settle down there I think I'm in the form of my life.
"I'm striking the ball well, generating a good strike-rate and it was nice to push on from a 40, 50 or 60 and get something substantial."
Apart from Fulton's flop, other concerns included a calf strain suffered by Michael Mason, who could be out of action for at least a week, and a migraine that curtailed the afternoon for James Franklin.
New Zealand will now move to Georgetown, Guyana, in preparation for Tuesday's game against Ireland.
* Richard Boock was assisted to the West Indies by New Zealand Cricket.
