HARARE, Aug 4: New Zealand are banking on the return from injury of fast bowler Shane Bond for the first Test of a two-match series against Zimbabwe, starting in Harare on Sunday. The 30-year-old Bond, who suffered a second stress fracture in his back during last year’s tour of England, has not played Test cricket since the tour of Sri Lanka in May 2003.

Although he bowled sparingly off a short run-up in net practice on Wednesday, New Zealand coach John Bracewell said the Kiwis were keen to unleash Bond on the struggling Zimbabweans.

“We’ve placed a few limits on him in training, but he’s looking good and, if he gets selected, those limits fall away,” Bracewell said.

“He bowled with genuine pace in the warm-up games (which New Zealand played in Namibia before arriving in Zimbabwe on Tuesday).

“A fit fast bowler is what you want in any side.” Bond has played only 10 Tests since making his debut against Australia in 2001, taking 43 wickets at 24.30, but provides New Zealand with genuine pace and a potential match-winning edge.

Bracewell was delighted with the commitment shown by his squad as they practised without the contents of the 29 pieces of luggage that were missing when they touched down in Harare.

“The guys put in a lot today and worked hard. Considering we only had half our gear, they did damn well,” Bracewell added. Meanwhile, all-rounder Scott Styris is confident New Zealand are ready to become a more competitive team in foreign conditions.

“We’ve got good depth now, and that breeds confidence,” Styris said.

“Hopefully we’ll be a better side on the field and start winning series overseas, the confidence is growing.”

The visitors had a practice on Thursday involving their squad as well as players from the Zimbabwe academy. The New Zealanders scored 363 runs at a steady pace and lost 12 wickets in the 93 overs that were bowled.

Captain Matthew Fleming cracked nine fours in his 62, while Hamish Marshall’s 52 included 10 boundaries.

Bond bowled 16 aggressive overs in which he took four for 65.—Reuters