Bond backs rotation system

Shane Bond has defended New Zealand's rotation policy for one-day internationals, pointing to Australia's playing depth as proof the system works. Bond and Stephen Fleming were rested for the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka before Bond returned to the side for the third match.

New Zealand have said Fleming's absence has given Daniel Vettori important captaincy experience and has allowed them to assess the potential of other batsmen. "We're looking at building a squad to win the World Cup," Bond told the New Zealand Herald. "We need to have 15 players capable of taking a part in winning it.

"Look at Australia in the last World Cup. They lost [Shane] Warne and [Jason] Gillespie and still went on to win the tournament. That's the sort of depth we need to build if we want to be a serious contender."

Bond said the coach John Bracewell and the players had discussed the rotation schedule well in advance. "Most of the guys sat down with Braces quite a while back to work out when we were going to get rested," he said. "I knew my break was coming up a long time ago and so did Stephen.

"It's been great. I've got a young family so it's probably better for my wife and kids that I have some time at home. We're trying to do whatever we can to have everyone fit for the end of April so that we've got a chance."