Shane Bond, who took four Australian wickets last night, is off to the IPL. Photo / Getty Images
Satisfied with increased security measures, Shane Bond will soon join his IPL side.
Shane Bond looks set to lead the way for the Black Caps heading to the Indian Premier League.
Bond is understood to have weighed up his options regarding security issues, after the recent rigorous checks by independent experts such as the world-renowned Reg Dickason.
In making the decision, he stands
to earn most of his US$750,000 a season which is paid on a pro-rata basis.
Bond is expected to leave in the next 48 hours so will miss the Kolkata Knight Riders' opening match today against the Bangalore Royal Challengers but could be on the ground in time for Tuesday's game against the Stephen Fleming-coached Chennai Super Kings.
It will complete a remarkable turnaround in the 34-year-old's injury-plagued career. Having initially feared his international days were over when he signed with the Delhi Giants for the so-called rebel Indian Cricket League in 2008, an amnesty allowed him to return to the elite fold.
While he has retired from tests he continues to make an impact in the one-day arena as has been witnessed in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. That sort of ability has in turn brought an IPL contract.
Bond's decision to go to India has been helped by the extra security investigations ahead of the tournament's start last night.
Resources have been upped, dedicated to protecting players in each of the 12 host cities.
This is the first IPL to be played in India since the Mumbai terror attacks of November 2008. Last year's tournament was shifted to South Africa.
The firm entrusted with the role is Nicholls, Steyn & Associates (NSA), the group who, among other things, helped 150 people evacuate the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai during that past seige.
New Zealand Cricket Players Association boss Heath Mills has already indicated it seems more likely all five New Zealand players - Bond, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Ross Taylor and Daniel Vettori - will go after the receipt of the latest information.
Oram is still recovering from injury but the remaining trio will make a final decision after the Australian test series.
Normally, ahead of an overseas tour, NZC would make the overall decision but on this occasion the players are independent contractors so make the call individually.
