Bond out of England tour

The gamble to bring the injured Shane Bond over to England backfired for New Zealand with the news that he will fly home tomorrow having failed to progress from his long-standing back problem.

It was thought that Bond, 29 tomorrow, may have been fit to play in the NatWest Series, against England and West Indies, later this summer, but the New Zealand management has admitted defeat and is sending him home for more treatment.

`We have probably done as much as we can here," said Lindsay Crocker, the team's manager. "We have given him anti-inflammatories to try and settle it down, and it has to a degree - but he is still feeling some discomfort in the area. We think, considering his history, that the conservative approach is the right one. The best thing for him is to go home and rest for a period, then build back up for some future engagements."

Bond, who has played only 10 Tests for New Zealand due to injuries, was restricted to one match on this tour, against Kent at Canterbury before the first Test at Lord's, which New Zealand lost by seven wickets. He did at least field as a substitute fielder for Michael Papps today in the second Test at Headingley, and even took a catch to dismiss Martin Saggers.

The news is a further blow to the New Zealand squad with Daniel Vettori tearing his hamstring today and Papps breaking his finger in the first innings. With Craig McMillan sidelined with a broken finger, Jacob Oram unable to bowl because of side strain, and Daryl Tuffey and Nathan Astle both struggling with knee injuries, the situation is serious.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and New Zealand added James Franklin, the left-arm seamer, who is currently playing club cricket in Lancashire, to their squad ahead of the final Test at Trent Bridge which starts on Thursday.