No definite time for Bond-Astle return to play

Shane Bond is still some time away from getting back into bowling training as the New Zealand team start to look towards their next mission, the tour of India in September-October.

The fast bowler, who has been out of cricket since suffering a stress fracture in his back during the Bank Alfalah Cup tournament in Sri Lanka in May, is officially described as "progressing nicely" by New Zealand Cricket's sports science medical co-ordinator Warren Frost. "He's still on the comeback trail and is building up his work in the gym. He is still a little from being back bowling."

Meanwhile, ace batsman Nathan Astle has resumed his build-up to full fitness, and his training will be stepped up another level this week. Apart from these two, Frost said everyone else still in New Zealand was in training which was a little unusual given the injury problems that have plagued the top level cricketers in recent seasons. The players were enjoying the break, Frost said. He is in contact with them every week and sees them every four to six weeks.