Bond matures into major force by AFP

---

Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

---

DateLine: 5th March 2007

 

New Zealand paceman Shane Bond used to spend as much time on the treatment table, battling a series of crippling injuries, as he did out in the middle,

 

Now he is determined to prove what many Kiwis have believed for years - that he is truly world class, even if he has to mellow to prove it.

 

"There was time when I just wanted to go faster and faster but that has changed," said the former policeman who will get his first taste of the 2007 World Cup in a warm-up against Bangladesh here on Tuesday.

 

"I'm more relaxed now and the ego is gone a bit. I have added skills to my bowling and I believe I'm a more complete player. My role is to ensure that I get wickets and give the team a great start.

 

Dogged by back and leg injuries, the 31-year-old only made his one-day international debut five years ago, and has so far played in just 59 games.

 

But he has collected 112 wickets at an average of 19.66 and his strike rate is under one every 27 balls.

 

He was the second fastest bowler in the world to reach 100 ODI wickets, achieving the feat in 54 matches, one more than Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

 

New Zealand will also face Sri Lanka in a warm-up here on Friday before they head for St Lucia for their first round Group C matches where they face England, Kenya and Canada.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)