Cricket: No quick international return for Bond

The jewel in New Zealand's fast bowling crown Shane Bond has ruled out a hasty return to top level cricket despite continuing to perform well at club level in Christchurch.

While Bond, 29, was "rapt" at how the first four weeks of his bowling comeback have gone after spinal fusion surgery in August, he said there would be no fairytale return in the short term.

He had entertained some time ago thoughts of a Canterbury one-day comeback about now and possibly a shot at the Australians later in the month at limited overs level.

"The body is as good as gold but I don't think I'm quite ready for Canterbury," Bond told The Dominion Post newspaper.

"I'm having some good days with the ball, but overall I'm still a little bit inconsistent."

That admission would also tend to rule him out of the five-match Australian series, which starts in Wellington on February 19.

"Australia's very unlikely," Bond said. "I'd never expect to go from club cricket to playing Australia, so I think the chances of me playing them are 0 per cent."

Bond was even loathe to commit himself to a comeback for Canterbury before the end of their four-day programme.

"It is just week by week at the moment and we'll see how things pan out," he said.

"I'm playing both days this weekend so we'll see how that goes. I didn't think I did anything overly special last weekend, but the important thing is the back feels fine."

- NZPA