New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond's cricket career is on hold again after he was sidelined by another stress fracture in his back.
The latest blow to Bond's career, discovered in a scan last week, means he is likely to be off the international scene until at least the end of
this year.
With a previous history of back trouble, including an earlier stress fracture, there is doubt that Bond will make it back to the international arena.
His manager, Leanne McGoldrick, last night confirmed the scan late last week had revelaed the latest fracture.
"Shane is now considering the options given to him by his surgeon," she said.
"One of those is surgery and that seems his most likely option at this stage. He just wants to take a few days to think things over.
"His other option is to give the injury complete rest to allow it to heal, before he starts rehabilitation."
Bond had already been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in England in September and is now destined to miss New Zealand's tours of Bangladesh and Australia later this year, and Sri Lanka's tour to New Zealand in December-January.
His chances of playing against Australia when they tour New Zealand in February-March next year must also be in jeopardy.
Bond has been battling back trouble since May last year when he first suffered a stress fracture on tour in Sri Lanka.
He nursed himself through that injury and was on the point of playing at international level last December when the injury flared again.
Bond again went through a rigorous rehabilitation programme and was fit in time to join the New Zealand team on their tour of England starting in May.
He played in warm-up county matches but experienced more back pain before the first test and returned home.
After suffering ongoing discomfort since his return he had a further bone scan last week which discovered the injury.
Bond has taken 43 wickets in 10 tests.
- NZPA
