New Zealand pace ace Shane Bond says he is injury-free and looking forward to the ICC Champions Trophy, in India in October.
The 31-year-old fast bowler, who was present at the launch of Nike's new cricket shoe, Air Zoom Yorker, in Mumbai on Thursday, declared he is fully fit and looking to prove himself in the upcoming tournament.
Air Zoom Yorker is a custom made shoe, specially designed to protect fast bowlers from injuries.
Bond missed New Zealand's tour of South Africa in April due to injury after injuring his right knee against the West Indies at Auckland in December 2005. The injury also prevented him from playing for Gloucestershire in the English county circuit.
He made his international debut in November 2001, but the five years in international cricket has seen him battling injuries, as a result of which he could play just 14 Tests and 45 One-Day Internationals.
"It was frustrating to sit out with injury for so long. It was so depressing and at one point I thought I wouldn't play cricket again. It was a sad feeling, but I have worked on my fitness and it's been a hard way back again," said Bond.
The pacer is currently training with a former boxing coach to improve fitness.
"I trained with a boxing coach, who is an ex-boxing trainer for New Zealand. It was extremely challenging, but I needed to improve fitness, so I took the boxing training," he said.
He also believes that the hot and humid conditions in India would pose a challenge for the Kiwis, currently practicing indoors.
"I am training back home in New Zealand. Unfortunately, the temperature is very cold, around 3 or 4 degrees Celsius, so I am forced to practice indoors. It will be a challenge to come to India and play in the hot weather here, but, as a profession sportsperson, you should be ready for everything."
New Zealand's preparations for the Champions Trophy starts with a camp at home, followed a week-long camp in India.
For the Champions Trophy, we have a two-week preparatory camp, beginning on September 25. Our actual camp would be a one-week camp in India before the start of the Champions Trophy," he said.
New Zealand open their campaign in the tournament against South Africa, at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on October 16.
Bond is yet to experience the thrill of playing in a cricket-mad country like India and admits he's eager to get going.
"I can't wait to play in a country where people are so passionate about cricket," he said.
