Shaken and stirred but licensed to thrill

New Zealand Cricket uncovered a rare gem the day they unleashed a Canterbury policeman on batsmen of the world. Bond……Shane Bond, demonstrated an ability to deliver a cricket ball with extreme pace and accuracy, instantly claiming rights to be named as one of the three fastest bowlers in the world. The Kiwis had a front-man capable of keeping world class batsmen on the back foot and the entire team looked better for it.

But Bond has been only a fleeting name on the Black Caps team sheet since his Test debut at Hobart in 2001. The back injury he sustained during a one day game in Pakistan in 2003 (after taking 2 wickets for 7 runs in 5 overs) ruled Bond out of all cricket for two years. His propensity for attracting serious injury has resulted in the unassuming paceman playing in only 12 out of the 35 Tests played by New Zealand since his debut.

And what a difference there is in a Bond-less New Zealand team. In the 12 Tests that Bond has played, he is yet to taste defeat, with the Kiwis winning 7 and drawing 5. In the other 23 Tests played by New Zealand (since Bond’s debut) where Bond has been unavailable, they have won only 5, lost 11 and drawn 7.

Bond’s contribution to the team is undoubtedly immense. In Tests he is the fastest New Zealander to claim 50 scalps and has a current tally of 56 wickets attained at an average of only 20.6. His one day figures are even more impressive with 77 wickets at an average of only 18.63 with a phenomenal strike rate of a wicket every 26 deliveries.

He’s also proved to be a man for the big occasion with his second best one day figures of 6 for 23 coming against Australia in the 2003 World Cup. (His best ever one day return was 6 for 19 against India in the Videocon Triangular Series, during his ‘comeback’ series last August)

With a fit Bond by his side, captain Stephen Fleming has exuded an altogether more authoritative swagger on the pitch, setting decisive and creative field settings to extract maximum advantage from his strike bowler. Fleming’s status as a captain is elevated when he has Bond at his disposal. Without his main weapon, taking twenty wickets in a test match must feel to Fleming like trying to cut through a tough piece of steak with a plastic picnic knife and he looks less assured on the field when attacking without his pace ace.

It could be argued that New Zealand have missed out on Bond at both ends of his career. Of the three fastest bowlers in the world, Bond was the oldest to make his debut. Both Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar turned out for their national sides by the age of 23. Bond however had to wait until well after his 26th birthday before getting his call up.

Bond will be thirty one years old in June this year and would no doubt hope to still have a good few years left in him to contribute at the highest level. If his past is any measure of his future, it would be a brave man to suggest it will be an injury free period.

And what a shame that would be for New Zealand if Bond continues to prove injury prone. To have unearthed a bowler of genuine world class only to see him sidelined for so much of his career must be a source of immense frustration for those in charge of the New Zealand game.

All of which begs the question… “Where would New Zealand cricket be now in the pecking order of the game if they had a fit Bond available more often?”

Having never lost a Test in which Bond has played, it is reasonable to suggest that the Black Caps would be an indomitable force to be reckoned with rather than the unpredictable outfit they have been during his extended absences.

New Zealand Cricket will be hoping that Bond manages to remain injury free for a significant period. He is an exciting and skilful player to watch. Without him they are a prone to average performances. With him, they look capable of beating and indeed being, the world's best.