Cricket: Black Caps bank on return of paceman Bond

Shane Bond (left) prepares to bowl as two Zimbabwean men look on during a Black Caps nets session at the Harare Sports Club. Picture / Reuters

HARARE - New Zealand are banking on the return from injury of fast bowler Shane Bond for the first test of a two-match cricket series against Zimbabwe, starting in Harare on Sunday.

The 30-year-old Bond, who suffered a second stress fracture in his back during last year's tour of England, has not played test cricket since the tour of Sri Lanka in May 2003.

Although he bowled sparingly off a short run-up in net practice on Wednesday, New Zealand coach John Bracewell said the Kiwis were keen to unleash Bond on the struggling Zimbabweans.

"We've placed a few limits on him in training, but he's looking good and, if he gets selected, those limits fall away," Bracewell told Reuters.

"He bowled with genuine pace in the warm-up games (which New Zealand played in Namibia before arriving in Zimbabwe on Tuesday).

"A fit fast bowler is what you want in any side." Bond has played only 10 tests since making his debut against Australia in 2001, taking 43 wickets at 24.30, but provides New Zealand with genuine pace and a potential match-winning edge.

Bracewell was delighted with the commitment shown by his squad as they practised without the contents of the 29 pieces of luggage that were missing when they touched down in Harare.

"The guys put in a lot today and worked hard. Considering we only had half our gear, they did damn well," Bracewell added.

With Bond on the mend, all rounder Jacob Oram also back from injury and batsman Lou Vincent signalling his return to form with a double century in New Zealand's last test against Sri Lanka in April, Bracewell has set his sights high in Zimbabwe.

"We've got what every coach wants in this squad, depth in numbers," he said. "We've come away with our best squad for the past few years." Zimbabwean cricket has been in crisis for the past few years and most of their experienced players walked out in a dispute with their cricket board in April last year, forcing the selection of an inexperienced team.

However, some of the Zimbabwe rebels, including former captain Heath Streak, have returned to the fold.

Streak and fellow rebels Andy Blignaut, Stuart Carlisle and Craig Wishart have been named in Zimbabwe's squad for the opening test.

Fast bowler Streak has succeeded Dion Ebrahim as vice-captain.

New Zealand will play a practice match in Harare on Thursday with the likely test team taking on a side made up of the visitors' remaining players and Zimbabwe academy players.

* Zimbabwe squad:

Tatenda Taibu (captain), Andy Blignaut, Stuart Carlisle, Graeme Cremer, Keith Dabengwa, Dion Ebrahim, Neil Ferreira, Anthony Ireland, Blessing Mahwire, Hamilton Masakadza, Christopher Mpofu, Heath Streak, Brendan Taylor, Craig Wishart.

- REUTERS