Injury Blow For Black Caps As Bond Ruled Out Of Tests

Injury Blow For Black Caps As Bond Ruled Out Of Tests

Shane Bond had made a successful return to Test cricket but will now miss the rest of the series.

©REUTERS / Action Images

New Zealand have suffered a blow ahead of the second Test against Pakistan in Wellington after it was revealed that fast bowler Shane Bond will play no further part in the series due to injury.

Tim Southee has been called into the squad as his replacement.

"Bond suffered minor abdominal discomfort following the first Test in Dunedin. An ultra-sound scan today has indicated that he has a one-centimetre tear in an abdominal muscle," a statement on New Zealand Cricket's homepage (www.blackcaps.co.nz) confirmed.

Bond had marked his first Test match in two years following a return from the Indian Cricket League with eight wickets to help New Zealand move into a 1-0 lead with a 32-run win.

Although he is to be rested for the remainder of the Test series as a precaution, he is expected to be fit to play Bangladesh and Australia later in the year.

The second Test begins on Thursday 3rd December and Northern Districts pace man Southee has been called up despite recently serving a one-match ban for unacceptable behaviour during a Plunket Shield match when he was heard using inappropriate language against Wellington.

© Cricket World 2009

Breaking news, score updates and interviews on Cricket World Live - tune in from Monday to Friday, 11:00 - 17:00 GMT and, get the latest from Cricket World® with Facebook, twitter and YouTube and keep up with the action with the latest cricket TV highlights and interviews.