Test return for Bond

New Zealand paceman back in Test squad after two-year absence

Last updated: 20th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Test return for Bond

Bond: Black Caps return

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Shane Bond is set to make his return to Test cricket after two years out after being named in New Zealand's squad to take on Pakistan.

Both Bond and fellow bowler Daryl Tuffey are in line for Black Caps returns after they were included in the 13-man squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan.

Bond returns to the Test arena after a two-year absence, while Tuffey last onned the whites for New Zealand against England in June 2004, although he was an unused member of the squad in the Test series loss in Sri Lanka in August.

"Significantly of the 66 Test wickets he's taken 24 have been against Pakistan," said New Zealand selector Mark Greatbatch. "It's a team he's done very well against."

Fast bowler Bond played in the recent limited-overs series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates and has been in action for Canterbury in their four-day Plunket Shield match against Otago this week where he finished with match figures of six for 148 off 40 overs which included the wicket of Brendon McCullum in both innings.

Energy

"Shane has shown a lot of energy in the UAE and in domestic cricket and has bowled a good number of overs," said Greatbatch. "It will be exciting to have him back."

The batting line-up sees all-rounder Grant Elliott and right-hander Peter Fulton return to the Test side after last playing against Australia a year ago.

Elliott, who captained the New Zealand Invitational XI against Pakistan in the warm-up match in Queenstown, replaces the retired Jacob Oram, while Fulton takes the place of Jesse Ryder who is out with an abdominal tear and adductor strain.

"Grant Elliott's inclusion is based on his excellent form in the short version of the game - we're keen to give him an opportunity to perform in Tests," said Greatbatch.

"Peter Fulton makes his comeback based on excellent performances on winter tours with the Emerging Players and New Zealand A teams - as well as an outstanding start to the domestic Plunket Shield competition."

Test seamers Iain O'Brien and Chris Martin slot back into the side after not being involved in the one-day and Twenty20 internationals.

The first Test begins on Tuesday at Dunedin's University Oval and is followed by Tests in Wellington and Napier.

NZ squad: Daniel Vettori (Captain), Shane Bond, Grant Elliott, Daniel Flynn, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey.