Kiwis shaken and stirred as injury forces Bond out

New Zealand's injury woes continued on Monday when Shane Bond was ruled out of at least the first two one-day internationals against England with a stress fracture of his left ankle.

A downbeat chairman of selectors, Sir Richard Hadlee, said the prognosis for a quick return was not good and the young Canterbury speedster could be out for up to six weeks.

If Hadlee's worst fears prove true, Bond would miss the entire Test and one-day series against the touring England side.

England face New Zealand in the first of five one-day internationals on Wednesday, followed by a three-match Test series starting in Christchurch on March 17.

The New Zealand selectors have called up untried Northern Districts fast bowler Ian Butler to take Bond's place.

The inexperienced Butler, who impressed in two one-day warm-up matches against the tourists at the weekend, is regarded as a genuine prospect while only in his debut season of first class cricket.

Bond, who played well for New Zealand A in India last year, was called into the senior side for the final two tests against Australia in November.

He was the top wicket taker in the recently completed one-day triangular series involving Australia, South Africa and the Kiwis, claiming 21 wickets.

HUGE BLOW

His loss is a huge blow to New Zealand's chances in the one-day series.

"It is the biggest call I have had to make since I've been a selector," Hadlee said. "The one-day game has changed with the allowance of one bouncer an over and we wanted genuine pace to open the bowling.

"Bond was sensational in Australia and we believe Butler is the next best bowler we have available in New Zealand. He is certainly as fast as Bond."

Hadlee said the selectors had taken advice from Bruce Blair, Butler's provincial coach, who said the 21-year-old was better than his other fast bowlers, who include the recalled Daryl Tuffey.

Bond had been suffering his ankle injury for two weeks, Hadlee said.

The medical staff of New Zealand Cricket examined Bond on his return from Sydney on Sunday after New Zealand had lost the triangular series final to South Africa and the bad news was conveyed to Hadlee on Monday.

"I was sitting down having a cold beer and a plate of fish and chips at Sumner [a seaside suburb of Christchurch] when I got the call," Hadlee said. "It's safe to say the beer tasted sour and the fish and chips went cold."

GREAT PROSPECT

England captain Nasser Hussain was told of Bond's injury at a news conference he was involved in earlier on Monday.

"We have heard a lot about Bond and we saw a lot of him in the one-day series in Australia when we were in India.

"He looks a great prospect and we were looking forward to locking horns with him," Hussain said.

"Fast bowlers are a great spectacle in cricket. The Brett Lees, Shoaib Akhtars, Shane Bonds, Darren Goughs and Andy Flintoffs of this world are exciting and we want to be shaping up against the best.

"If you ask me if I'm disappointed about Bond, right now, before we have played the first game, I'll have to admit not much," Hussain added with a smile.

New Zealand lost a lot of bowlers to injury last season and the trend appears top have continued into this one with Dion Nash and Shayne O'Connor both out.

"It's an occupational hazard as a selector," Hadlee said. "But I can tell you that this latest one is devastating to Bond and to the team."

Mail Cricket Editor