January 29, 2008	Tuesday	Muharram 19, 1429

WELLINGTON, Jan 28: Fast bowler Shane Bond has had his contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) terminated after the player signed for the rebel Twenty20 Indian Cricket League (ICL).

The two parties cancelled the contract by mutual consent, New Zealand Cricket said in a statement on Monday, adding that the door had been left open for Bond to represent his country again in the future.

NZC was forced to comply with ICC regulations which prevented contracted players from taking part in the non-sanctioned ICL, chief Justin Vaughan said.

“At some stage in the future we may be able to welcome Shane back into the Black Caps; either when he is no longer playing for the ICL or when that competition does not exist,” Vaughan said.

The 32-year-old Bond has taken 79 wickets in 17 Tests in an injury-plagued career.

An automatic selection for the team when fit, Bond is regarded as New Zealand's best fast bowler since the retirement of Sir Richard Hadlee.

Bond said in a statement he was sympathetic to NZC's efforts to retain his services and hoped to represent his country again in the future.—Reuters