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Injuries broke Shane's bond with cricket
New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond announced his retirement from all forms cricket on Friday, saying it is time for him to draw curtains on his international career.
The 34-year-old pacer, who was prone to injuries throughout his career, had already quit Test cricket in December after having represented the New Zealand in just 18 five-day games.
"I know the time is right for me to step down. I have given it everything when playing for the Blackcaps," he said, announcing his retirement after returning from an unsuccessful Twenty20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies.
"I will miss the camaraderie because it has been a privilege to play alongside such a great bunch of guys who are so committed to do their best for New Zealand.
"Playing with pride for the Blackcaps over the years has meant so much to me. I have experienced huge emotional feelings when I have pulled on the silver fern. I am going to miss a lot of this but I know now is the time to bow out," he said.
He had a licence to thrill
The right-arm speedster, who hails from Canterbury, was one of the fastest bowlers in the world during a career that was littered with injuries following his international debut in 2001 against Australia.
He ended his Test career with 87 wickets from 18 matches at an average of 22.09. In 82 one-day internationals he played, he captured 147 wickets at an average of 20.88 and in 20 Twenty20 matches matches he had 25 wickets at 21.72.
In 2008, Bond, was ranked as the number one bowler in world cricket in ODIs and finished his international career ranked number five, with an average of 20.88.
At his peak, he had the third best strike rate in Test cricket and ended his career third best with 38.7.
Never say never again
Perhaps, the highlight of his career was his haul of six for 23 against Australia at the 2003 World Cup, which destroyed the eventual champions' batting line-up.
Recurring back problems soon after forced him to have surgery -- it involved his spine being fused by titanium wire -- in 2004.
Last December, he played a stellar role in the Kiwis' 32-run win over Pakistan in the first Test in Dunedin, winning the man of the match award after figures of eight for 153.
But the injuries continued and he called it quits from Test cricket after missing the second Test.
New Zealand bowed out of the World T20 at the Super Eight stage, but not before Bond had a reasonably good outing, claiming five wickets at an average of 29, and economy rate of 7.63.
Tomorrow never dies
His career though was not without controversy after he joined the Indian Cricket League (ICL), which resulted in him being banned from the national team as the tournament did not have the blessings of the International Cricket Council.
But he returned last year after the ban on ICL players was lifted, and was signed up for the Indian Premier League by Kolkata Knight Riders for US $750,000.
Though he played in a limited number of matches, he delivered on most occasions for the Kolkata outfit.
And even if he has retired from international cricket, Bond has pledged himself to the Indian Premier League.