Shane Bond to join ICL

[Online]

This is a HUGEEE Boost to ICL Pace spearhead Shane Bond is all set to become the seventh and the most high-profile New Zealand player to join the rebel Indian Cricket League, on a three-year contract worth USD 800,000. Although Bond, currently recovering from an abdominal strain, has chosen to remain mum on the issue, New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan has admitted that Bond is all but lost to the ICL. "I can't say for certain he has signed but I understand that is what his agent is saying," Vaughan was quoted as saying by the Dominican Post newspaper in Wellington. However, Vaughan said NZC would do all it can to bring Bond back into the fold even if it means fighting an expensive legal battle to wriggle him out of the ICL contract. "Even if he has signed with the ICL, we'd love to see if there was a way to get him out of that contract. We'll fund all the support to get him out of it, similar to what Pakistan has done with Mohammad Yousuf ," he said. Despite his constant injury breakdowns, Bond is widely regarded as New Zealand's best pacer since Richard Hadlee and his decision to join ICL -- to earn almost three times more than what he gets as an NZC contracted player -- would be a severe blow for the country's board. And one of the possible solutions being looked upon by NZC to prevent Bond's defection is getting him a hefty contract with the BCCI and ICC backed Indian Premier League. "We are still looking at a solution. Getting Shane an IPL contract is still the preferred one and we've put together a package that is extremely good," Vaughan said. The 32-year-old Bond has taken 79 wickets in 17 Tests and 125 in 67 ODIs and Vaughan said NZC is in no mood to let their premier bowler go but admitted that it would not be easy to hold back the pacer. "We'd love to see him playing for New Zealand and that is why we have turned over so many stones, but at the moment we are on the back foot," he confessed. "I know we haven't seen very much of him lately, but you always hope your last injury is your last one. I don't think it is a question of loyalty here. He is a champion and we'd be very sorry to lose him." Vaughan, however, maintained that despite the loss, NZC will not select players who are aligned with ICL. "Our preference is for the selectors not to choose those players. It is not a ban, but it would be fair to say if he has signed we would prefer he didn't play in the England series," he said. Before Bond, six former New Zealand players -- Chris Cairns , Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan , Daryl Tuffey, Chris Harris and Hamish Marshall -- have joined the rebel league.

[Sachinism]

wow shocking strange considering he is still young and could do a lot on the international scene read earlier that he was probably going http://www.indiancricketfans.com/showthread.php?t=86669

[sandtest]

Source?? Is it confirmed?...NZ board must be trying something to change his mind. btw...ICL is here to stay...and I hope it becomes a big hit in future.. Privatization of Cricket is good for the game in India....though haraami BCCI babus will try their level best to regain control once IPL starts.

[sm332]

good for ICL but sad for Intl cricket cos this guy is the best fast bowler in the game period ... unfortunately he is constantly injured but he is skilled, quick and lethal

[beetle]

If a few more join then NZC may have to rethink the "we won't play them"policy... They will have to show a finger to BCCI...... They can't get him to play foe IPL for atleast 2 yrs after his retirement.

[Ranvir]

He's past his best now and can't bowl 95mph like he used to.