Bond Returns to Revive Struggling New Zealand in Twenty20

Colombo: New Zealand's pace spearhead Shane Bond makes a comeback to official cricket after two years when he plays in a Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Bond, 34, regarded as the best New Zealand fast bowler since Richard Hadlee, was delighted to be playing again for his country after snapping links with the unauthorized Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Bond, who last played for New Zealand in November 2007, hoped he could meet the expectations from team-mates and fans alike on his highly-anticipated return.

Bond's fiery pace fetched him 79 wickets in 17 Tests, 125 from 67 One-Day Internationals and 12 in nine Twenty20 matches till he was banished for his ICL connections.

He was not picked for the preceding Test series which Sri Lanka swept 2-0, and warmed up instead by playing for New Zealand's 'A' team in India last month.

Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori warned against expecting the premier fast bowler to deliver immediate results.

Vettori was confident his team would perform better in the two Twenty20 internationals on Wednesday and Friday, and the limited-overs tri-series also featuring India from September 8.

"I think the guys have a real belief in their own ability in the shorter forms of the game," he said. "I hope we will see a turnaround in our performances."

Team news:

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be without star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who suffered a groin injury during the second Test last week and is being rested ahead of the tri-series.

The hosts, World Twenty20 finalists this year, have picked veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya and fast bowler Lasith Malinga for the two matches.

Squad (likely): Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Mahela Udawatte, Chamara Kapugedara, Gihan Rupasinghe, Angelo Mathews, Isuru Udana, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Kaushal Lokuarachchi.

New Zealand, Shane Bond return in Kiwis squad, this is good practice for Bond before tri-series and Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Pitch and conditions
Scattered thunderstorms are forecast for game day. Only two Twenty20s have been played here and one both occasions the reputation of the Premadasa forced the team winning the toss to bat. Chasing under lights has always been difficult at the venue but India's Pathan brothers proved it could be done.

Stats and Trivia

• McCullum is the leading run-scorer in Twenty20 internationals, with 689 in 26 games at an average of 31.31 and a strike rate of 123.69. The leader for Sri Lanka, and second in the world, is Jayasuriya, with 541 runs at 30.05 and a strike rate of 138.36.
• Sri Lanka and New Zealand have met each other four times in Twenty20s, with Sri Lanka leading the head-to-head 3-1. New Zealand's only victory came in Auckland in December 2006 to share the series.
• Sri Lanka have yet to win a Twenty20 at the Premadasa in two attempts.

Squad (likely): Daniel Vettori (capt), Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Grant Elliott, Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan (wk), Ian Butler, Shane Bond, Kyle Mills.

Match facts
Wednesday September 02, 2009 (day/night)
Start time 19.00 local, 13.30 GMT

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