Kiwi fast bowler Shane Bond has retired from Test cricket citing reasons of his body not coping up with the rigors of the five-day game. In spite of being plagued by injuries, Bond will be available for the one-day internationals and the Twenty20 matches.

Bond took eight wickets against Pakistan at Dunedin in his last Test match and due to an abdominal strain missed the remaining two Tests. The 34 year old claimed 87 wickets at an average of 22.09 in 18 Tests in his eight year long career.

Bond said: “The hardest thing is that I’ve always considered myself a Test bowler and it was such a great feeling to be back in the team last month and playing Test match cricket with the Black Caps.

“Looking back, so many of my injuries have come during Test cricket. Unfortunately my body just won’t let me continue to play at that level, given the workload and demands of Test cricket. “But I don’t want to end on an injury and I am absolutely committed to playing for the Black Caps.

“This way I hope I’ve got a better chance of continuing to play. I hope I’ll be able to continue to contribute to the team and to New Zealand cricket fans for a while yet.
“It’s been a tough call because Test cricket remains the ultimate form of the game – but I’m comfortable I’ve made the right choice.”

He said he was now focusing on limited-over’s matches against Australia, which start in February 2010 with two Twenty20 Internationals.
“I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got, for as long as I can. The ICC World Twenty20 is coming up next year and then there’s the World Cup in 2011” . “I’d love to help the Black Caps lift some silverware over the next couple of years.” he stated.

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