Cricket: Bond, Fulton in test side to play Pakistan

Peter Fulton and Shane Bond. Photos / Kenny Rodger / Brett Phibbs

Paceman Shane Bond is in line to play his first test in two years after being named in New Zealand's 13-man squad for the first of three tests against Pakistan, starting in Dunedin on Tuesday.

Bond has not played a test for two years, with his career stalled first by persistent injuries, then by his decision to play from 2008 in the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League Twenty20 competition.

New Zealand terminated Bond's contract and refused to select him for national teams while he played in the ICL.

An international amnesty for former players who agreed to cut ties with the ICL, allowed New Zealand to recall Bond earlier this year and he made his comeback in limited-overs matches in Sri Lanka in September.

Bond has since played at the Champions Trophy one-day tournament in South Africa and in New Zealand's one-day and Twenty20 matches against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates earlier this month.

Bond has also played for his Canterbury province in four-day matches in New Zealand's domestic first-class competition, regaining the fitness for test play.

His selection gives New Zealand a boost ahead of the first test at the University Oval. Bond will spearhead a pace attack which also includes Chris Martin, Iain O'Brien and Daryl Tuffey.

Tuffey's most recent test was against England at Leeds in June, 2004 and he has since battled injuries while being intermittently selected for New Zealand limited-overs sides.

The New Zealand batting lineup includes opener Tim McIntosh, who made an unbeaten century against Pakistan in a three-day tour match which ended Friday, and Daniel Flynn, who scored 49 and 56 in that match.

Peter Fulton has also been recalled to the New Zealand side after strong domestic form.

Martin Guptill gets another chance at test level, though he has yet to reach a half century in nine test innings.

Explosive batsman Jesse Ryder was not considered for selection because of an abdominal injury which is likely to sideline him until mid-December.

New Zealand media reported Friday that Ryder had been censured for misconduct by New Zealand Cricket after a verbal altercation with national team manager Dave Currie during the recent Champions Trophy tournament in South Africa.

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Shane Bond, Grant Elliott, Daniel Flynn, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey.

-AP