KEY POINTS:
Exiled fast bowler Shane Bond believes the repercussions of New Zealand players defecting to the Indian Cricket League (ICL) will still be felt when India arrive next summer.
It has been made clear the ICL rebels will not be selected for New Zealand but Bond and others such as Daryl Tuffey and Lou Vincent can play for their major associations.
"In terms of the legal stuff, it will be interesting to see the BCCI's [Indian cricket's ruling body] reaction if they want to play a warm-up game against Canterbury or Auckland and the likes of myself or Daryl are due to be playing."
Bond, who last played for New Zealand in November in South Africa, said he could see a situation where the BCCI refused to allow their players to play in matches against ICL players.
"It could get very interesting."
Bond is in Southampton on a short-term contract with English county side Hampshire. At one point, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) tried to stop ICL players playing for counties but was told it would be in breach of restraint of trade legislation. Eventually Bond and Hamish Marshall were allowed to join Hampshire and Gloucestershire.
The MCC World Cricket Committee met on the eve of the first test at Lord's last week and Bond's name figured high in discussions. The committee, which included Steve Waugh and Courtney Walsh, were in agreement that Bond had been treated appallingly after signing with the ICL.
With such high-profile moral support, it would seem the ideal time for Bond to seek a restraint of trade ruling against his banning.
However he told the Herald on Sunday it was not something he was looking to do.
"Not really," he said, when asked if the support of his peers would fuel a legal action. "It's just good that people know what really went on.
"I've basically resigned myself to the fact my international career is over," the 32-year-old said. "I suppose I'm unselectable. I'd love to be able to be picked but they're never going to pick me."
Bond's eight-week stint at Hampshire got off to a hiss and a roar with a seven-wicket bag in his first championship match. However, he then ran into familiar territory with a calf strain ruling him out for a fortnight.
He was to make his reappearance this weekend at Bristol, where he will lock horns with Marshall.
After his stint in county cricket, he will have a four-month break before the next ICL tournament. He and his wife Tracey are expecting their third child in August.
While he was an interested observer in the current test series, Bond would not get a chance to catch up with the team again before he leaves, although he did see them during their final warm-up match.
He agreed with the decision to omit his heir apparent, Tim Southee, from the starting line-up at Old Trafford. Southee had been ill for a week and started bowling in the nets only on Thursday.
Switch to Canterbury in the wind
New Zealand Cricket is close to announcing a multi-year kit deal with Canterbury Sports.
The seven-figure deal will see the self-styled Black Caps switch from W-Star before next summer when India and the West Indies are to tour.
NZC are saying nothing, but a well-placed source confirmed Canterbury had outbid others.
The brand seems to have gone from strength to strength since the New Zealand Rugby Union ditched it for adidas. In their stable of international rugby teams are the world champion Springboks, Scotland, Ireland and the Wallabies.
They supply Portsmouth Football Club, who last week won the FA Cup.
Canterbury has signed with Hampshire County Cricket Club and its UK offices are in Manchester, where New Zealand play this week.
