Bond might be fit for NatWest Series

Shane Bond's hopes of playing some international cricket on New Zealand's tour of England received a boost with the news that the soreness in his back, which forced him to miss the current tour match against Leicestershire, was probably caused by soft tissue damage rather than another stress fracture. Bond is unlikely to return for the remaining two Tests, but might be fit for the triangular NatWest Series, which starts on June 24.

Briefing the media about the results of the scan, Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand team manager, said: "It's a very small area and the scan wasn't 100% conclusive, but they felt it was more than likely soft tissue damage. We're giving him seven days then we will reassess it, and make a decision whether to press on or send him home."

Bond had played a couple of warm-up matches early on the tour, and was expected to return to the side for the second Test, which starts at Headingley on June 3. However, he complained of soreness in the back after the match against Kent, forcing the team management to alter their plans of unleashing Bond on England's batsmen at Leeds.

New Zealand have already summoned Michael Mason as cover for Bond, while James Franklin and Andre Adams are also likely to join the squad as back-up for Jacob Oram, who is battling to recover from a side strain.