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Major blow for Black Caps
10/11/2007 19:02 - (SA)
Johannesburg - New Zealand strike bowler Shane Bond is to return home after sustaining an abdominal strain during the first Test against South Africa at the Wanderers on Saturday.
New Zealand manager Lindsay Crocker said Bond's injury would keep him out of cricket for four to six weeks. A decision on a replacement would be taken later on Saturday.
Bond, currently ranked third in the world behind Muttiah Muralitharan and Makhaya Ntini, has been plagued by injury throughout his career, and was playing in his first Test against South Africa.
"It's a great pity," said South African batsman Jacques Kallis, who made 186 in South Africa's second innings. "He's a fantastic bowler and he's had such bad luck with injury throughout his career. We were looking forward to taking him on."
New Zealand were struck by illness and injury on Saturday, and at one stage had four substitutes on the field. Opening batsman Michael Papps had a stomach ailment and spent most of Saturday morning on a drip. Crocker said he was beginning to feel better and would probably be able to bat on Sunday.
Stephen Fleming, who is still recovering from a dislocated thumb sustained during nets before the second warm-up game in Potchefstroom, had a scan after being hit on the forearm by Dale Steyn during New Zealand's first innings on Friday. The scan showed no fracture, but his arm is badly bruised and he is in considerable pain.
Lanky all-rounder Jacob Oram had to leave the field with a hamstring injury on Saturday, and will undergo a fitness test on Sunday.
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Rugby
