‘I became a victim of politics’ - Shane Bond
Shane Bond, the former New Zealand pacer, has said “he became a victim of politics" when the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 Cricket Board discarded him following his contract with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League (ICL). The fast bowler opined that
he was not regretful over his decision to play in the league but was disappointed by the way the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) had treated him. Bond claimed that he was contractually allowed by the NZC for participating in the ICL but alleged that the board backed
out after the International Cricket Council intervened.
Bond, in his book “Looking Back” said that he would never understand why he was forced to pick one from ICL or playing for New Zealand, especially after he was assured that he could do both at a time and his contract with NZC (New
Zealand Cricket) had also allowed him to do so. "In the end I became a victim of politics,” said Bond.
"As distasteful as that might be, I could learn to live with that, but what I can't live with is the suggestion that in the end I didn't want to play for my country," he further added.
The former pacer of New Zealand had signed with the Indian Cricket League in January 2008 and was not included into the national side for almost two years due to his association with the unofficial league. Bond was recalled to the
national side in June 2009 when New Zealand Cricket allowed its players to return to the team but after terminating his contract with the Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Bond, who had been playing for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Knight-c71599 Riders earlier this year, for US$750,000 at the auction for third edition of Indian Premier League. Bond still sticks by his decision to play
in the Indian Cricket League though. "One thing I'll never regret is signing to play in the Indian Cricket League. Not at all. I've achieved security for my family and in the long term that is more important than a few Test and one-day caps,” said the discarded
Kiwis player.
Talking about his contract with the New Zealand Cricket Board, Bond said that he had been on a good contract by the standards of his country. Recalling his discussion with the NZC chief Justin Vaughan regarding termination warning
from the board due to his links with the ICL, Bond said that the only words he could speak out were 'Excuse me?'
Shane Bond played 82 ODIs for Black Caps picking up 147 wickets at 20.88 with his career-best figures of 6 for 19. His Test performance for Kiwis was more promising where the fast bowler claimed 87 wickets from 18 Test matches.
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