AUCKLAND, Oct 31: New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has shaken off a serious back injury and is raring to take on the touring Pakistan and South Africa sides over the summer.

“The back feels 100 percent,” Bond told Television New Zealand website nzoom.com on Friday. “There are no real limitations in what I can bowl.

“I could bowl 20 overs one day and then back it up with another spell the next day.”

Former policeman Bond, 28, burst to prominence as an unknown replacement on the tour of Australia in 2001-02. He injured his back during New Zealand’s May tour of Sri Lanka.

It was his second major injury, coming just over a year after suffering a foot complaint that had kept him out of the series against England in 2002 just after his success in Australia.

“I am targeting the first Test against Pakistan (mid-December) for my international comeback,” Bond said.

Before that he will be playing for the New Zealand Academy side and for Canterbury in the domestic provincial competition which starts in November.

In a big summer for New Zealand cricket, Bond will be hoping to add to his 43 Test wickets from 10 Tests and 51 wickets in 27 one-day appearances.

Meanwhile, New Zealand batsman Nathan Astle, whose small tear in his left knee tendon forced him out of the one day series against India and Australia on the sub-continent, is undergoing a strengthening programme over the next six to eight weeks.

Astle hopes to join Bond in Hamilton for the first Test against Pakistan starting on Dec 18.—Reuters