WELLINGTON, Dec 4: New Zealand strike bowler Shane Bond was ruled out of this month’s Chappell-Hadlee limited-overs series against Australia because of an abdominal injury suffered on his team’s recent tour of South Africa.

Bond confirmed his withdrawal from the New Zealand team on Tuesday and said he hoped to be fit for the home Test and one-day series against England beginning in February.

“It’s worn me down,” Bond said. “I’ve spent a lot of time rehabbing. There are a lot things I want to achieve and to be realistic, I can’t expect cricket to keep supporting me if I am going to continue to get injured so it’s frustrating.”

Selection manager Sir Richard Hadlee said the 15-man squad that lost 2-1 to South Africa in a three-match limited overs series which ended on Sunday would take part in the Chappell-Hadlee matches.

—AP