Cricket: Bond to make return in Sri Lanka

Shane Bond is still NZ's quickest and most penetrative fast bowler. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Shane Bond is likely to make his return to the New Zealand team in Sri Lanka in September - but he's set to be a late arrival on tour.

The New Zealand squad of 15 to play two tests preceded by two three-day matches in August-September is expected to be named this week.

After that, there are ODIs against their hosts and India before New Zealand head to South Africa for the Champions Trophy one-day tournament, starting on September 24.

The Canterbury speedster, still New Zealand's quickest and most penetrative fast bowler, was cleared to return to New Zealand duty after his contract with the Indian Cricket League was terminated last month. As a starting point, he will be part of a New Zealand A side heading to India around the same time.

After that, Bond should be one of several players flying to Sri Lanka for the Twenty20 and one-day legs of the tour.

Bond has made it clear he doesn't expect to be sped straight back into the national team and while he is keen to return to test cricket, that is likely to be put on hold as he finds his international feet in the short forms of the game.

The tour has the whiff of an ambush to it.

Sri Lanka start the first of three tests against Pakistan on Saturday, and they are followed by five ODIs.

New Zealand will arrive in Colombo having played no tests since early April and the bulk of the squad will have had no match play for about seven weeks since the finish of the Twenty20 world championship.

The squad will comprise 15 players, and after an ordinary home season against the West Indies and India, it could be time for some new faces.

The batting will be left largely in familiar hands, although cover is needed, and Craig Cumming - second on aggregate and average among those who had 10 or more innings during the State Championship last season - could get another opportunity to add to his 11 tests.

Fast-medium Daryl Tuffey, like Bond back in the fold from the ICL, had a strong first-class campaign for Auckland last season. Sri Lanka presents a good opportunity to see if he's ready to step back up to the big time.

Jeetan Patel will retain his place as first choice backup test spinner to captain Dan Vettori and if a quality backup wicketkeeper is required, Auckland's Reece Young, who is also an impressive batsman, would fit the bill.

There should be room for an eye on the future. The standout candidate would be Northern Districts' 18-year-old Kane Williamson.

The New Zealand under 19 captain put up eye-catching numbers in both first-class and one-day domestic cricket last season and is well thought of in the circles that matter.

Players who are strong chances to join Bond for the one-day leg of the tour, and on to the Champions Trophy, includes Neil Broom, Kyle Mills, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti, Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan and Grant Elliott.

* Likely squad

A possible New Zealand 15 for Sri Lanka: Dan Vettori (c), Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Craig Cumming, Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Jacob Oram, Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum, Reece Young, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin, Daryl Tuffey.