New Zealand's Chris Martin has hit back at Andrew Strauss's suggestion that, minus Shane Bond, their attack will pose few problems
Paceman claims Kiwis can overcome likely Bond absence
New Zealand pace bowler Chris Martin has hit back at the suggestion made by England's Andrew Strauss that, in the absence of Shane Bond from the upcoming series, the hosts' attack will pose few problems.
Bond is highly unlikely to play after signing up for the rebel Indian Cricket League, with Strauss, currently playing for New Zealand first class side Northern Districts, predicting at the weekend that England's batsmen will not be overly concerned by an attack missing the country's best-known strike bowler.
"We'll rest a bit easier at night if he's not playing. You pretty much know what you're going to get (with the other bowlers) - we know what they're capable of," Strauss said.
Cocky
But Martin said England had yet to see the best of Bond's sometime colleagues, claiming that the attack failed to fire when the sides last met in a Test series four years ago, England on that occasion winning 3-0.
"He's said a lot of things in the media over the years that can come across as a little bit arrogant and a little bit cocky," Martin said of Strauss after New Zealand completed up a 2-0 Test series victory against Bangladesh on Monday.
"You just take that sort of stuff with a grain of salt. If we hunt as a pack and hit them hard early, I think we've got the attack to take their wickets."
Martin, who will spearhead New Zealand's attack in the absence of Bond, was named man of the match in their innings and 137-run win over Bangladesh in the second Test. He also took 13 wickets in the series.
England arrive in New Zealand later this month for a tour that will include five one-day internationals and three Tests.
