Return to Form (Momentarily)

Christchurch fast bowler Shane Bond’s return to Test cricket has seen the Black Caps score a 32-run win over Pakistan in the first Test at Dunedin’s University Oval. Bond, 34, took eight wickets and the man-of-the-match title. “It was perfect really, it’s why you want to play Test cricket because it is a true test and it has mental highs and lows,” Bond said. Asked what his expectations were for his first test in two years, a tired-looking Bond, whose bloody, nailess left toe told the story of his tireless efforts, summed it up with one word, wickets. “My expectation is always to bowl well and take wickets,” he said. “I firmly believed we were going to win the test match and that we were good enough to win it. I’m pleased to have come through it.” (NB: Shane Bond has just announced his retirement from test cricket heart willing, body not).