Bondy and Tuffey likely to get national contracts

AUCKLAND - Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey are under consideration for national cricket contracts this month after their return from the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL), New Zealand national selection panel chief Glenn Turner said.

New Zealand Cricket’s chief executive Justin Vaughan confirmed at the weekend that clearances for the pair and Craig McMillan from the ICL had been received.

Once the paperwork is in order the duo are in line for contracts to the top-20 ranked players to be announced June 26 after the Twenty20 World Cup.

Turner said the selectors held a discussion last week and included in that was the possibility that Bond and Tuffey could be eligible for selection.

The contracts are awarded based on performances in the past season and projected value for the coming season. Bond would have little trouble securing a high-ranking New Zealand contract while Tuffey would be a serious contender.

Turner said the pair had been playing in New Zealand last season, Tuffey at all levels and Bond just in limited-overs, and they were clearly eligible to be considered. He welcomed the return of the duo and said it would help enhance competition for contracts and broaden the talent pool in the country.

“Just because they have not played for New Zealand in the past year does nor rule them out of consideration for contracts,” Turner was quoted as saying in New Zealand Herald.

Both men signed for the ICL in late 2007 with Bond’s absence leaving a gaping hole in the New Zealand pace attack.

That was further underlined in New Zealand’s match against Twenty20 World Cup against qualifier Scotland where the bowling attack lacked a spearhead to start.