At 34, Bond wants to make a gradual return to New Zealand team

AUCKLAND - New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond is back in mainstream cricket after snapping all ties with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). But at 34, Bond doesn’t want to rush in and is eyeing to make a gradual return to the national team.

Before heading away on his second honeymoon to the US with wife Tracey, Bond contacted New Zealand’s convener of selectors Glenn Turner and discussed his reintroduction to top-flight competition.

Bond requested Turner not to consider him for selection of the tour to Sri Lanka in July-August.

“Your own ego says, `I would love to get back in and play’ but commonsense says, ‘I need time’ and it does take me time to get up to speed. I’ve had time out, I’ve had no cricket for five months and for my own personal state of mind it would be good for me to have some cricket so I can prove to the selectors and myself that I am worthy of a spot,” Bond was quoted as saying in the New Zealand media.

“I’m hopeful of getting on the next New Zealand A tour (to India in August). I think I have to earn my place back to the New Zealand team through performance and merit.”

Bond said that he is eager to play in all three formats of the game.

“I’ll just do what I’ve always done and I’ll train bloody hard and get as fit as I can, which has never been as issue for me. Then I’ll have to be aware of how much I bowl. I’m going to have to be careful when I start off again, how much I’m doing, and after that it is a little bit out of my hands,” he said.