Bond declares fitness for first Test

Shane Bond is raring to go for New Zealand in their forthcoming Tests against Sri Lanka.

Rumours had been circulating that Bond, the fast bowler, would miss the two-Test series which starts on December 7, in order to rest his troubled back ahead of the feast of one-dayers which follow the Tests.

But Bond confirmed to the Herald on Sunday newspaper that he was keen to play in the Tests as well as the VB series, the Chappell-Hadlee series and then the World Cup in March.

He sat out Canterbury's match in the State Championship which concluded on Saturday, but he practiced bowling during lunch and was in no visible pain. He is now available for their next game, which is at home against Northern Districts and starts on Wednesday.

The first Test is at Christchurch, and will be followed by the concluding match at Wellington, which starts on December 15.