SHANE BOND STANDS DOWN FROM ALL CRICKET

BLACKCAPS and Canterbury Wizard’s fast bowler Shane Bond announced his retirement from all cricket today, bringing down the curtain on his career eight years after making his debut.

Arriving home from the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies today, Bond said that he would not comprise his own standards that he believed were required to be successful to combat the intensity of International cricket .

``I know the time is right for me to step down. I have given it everything when playing for the BLACKCAPS. I will miss the camaraderie because it has been a privilege to play along such a great bunch of guys who are so committed to do their best for New Zealand .

``I want to thank my wife Tracey, my family, my manager Leanne McGoldrick and all those at New Zealand Cricket, Canterbury , my club Old Boy's Collegians and the Players Association’s Heath Mills for all their help and support over the years.

``Playing with pride for the BLACKCAPS over the years has meant so much to me. I dreamed of playing for New Zealand when I was six. The reality of what has unfolded was more than I could ever hope for and I have been extremely proud to represent New Zealand . I am going to miss a lot of this but I know now is the time to bow out. I am very keen at some stage to put something back into the game in New Zealand .’’

The Canterbury bowler with blistering speed was one of the fastest bowlers in the world during a career littered with injuries.

Bond, for a time, was the number one bowler in the ICC world one day rankings. For a time, he had the best strike rate in tests and one day internationals in NZC history. At his peak, he had the third best strike rate in test cricket history.

Today New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan paid tribute to Bond’s contribution to the game.

``We shall all miss Shane in the international arena. His speed and ability struck fear into batsmen from every team in world cricket. He has been a real match-winner. Shane has had an inspirational presence about him and has been a great role model for younger team mates.

`` Shane will leave a huge gap that will be almost impossible to replace. We are saddened by his decision, but we support him and wish him all the best in his future,’’ Vaughan said.

BLACKCAPS’ captain Daniel Vettori said; “We are lucky to have had a player of his stature donning the Black Cap. “For me personally it is a big loss I think he could still be a really good player for us for some time to come. But I know how much effort he puts in to stay on the park. He knows his body and he knows what he needs to do to prepare for international cricket. Sadly for us he has decided his time has come to an end.
“What ever he chooses to put his hand to, I think he will be successful because he is so determined. I think that if we can hold on to Shane in any capacity in Cricket, if he can help out our future fast bowlers it is only going to be an asset. “He is one of the best fast bowlers we have ever had and we will miss him in the BLACKCAPS.”

The ball that changed Shane Bond's career arrived in a flash with a searing yorker that knocked out Adam Gilchrist's stumps in a VB series match against Australia at Adelaide in 2002. He terrified the Australian batsmen in that game; and in that series. A Kiwi bowling star was born on the world cricketing stage. There's something about the Australians that brought the best out of Bond. In 17 ODIs against them he took 44 wickets at 15.79 runs per wicket, with a BLACKCAPS best of 6 for 23.

Bond gave the BLACKCAPS a rare fast bowling option. He joined the elite band of the fastest bowlers in the world and with his arrival the potency of the BLACKCAPS attack increased. He became the quickest New Zealander to reach 50 test and 50 one-day international wickets.

Despite the many challenges he faced throughout his career, his resolve and desire to fight back was never questioned.