Bond ruled out of match against South Africa; Styris also doubtful

Mumbai, Oct 15 (UNI) New Zealand pace spearhead Shane Bond has been ruled out of the opening Group 'B' Champions Trophy match against South Africa tomorrow because of stiffness in his back.

Team manager Lindsay Crocker told newspersons here on the eve of tomorrow's match, that the 31-year-old fast bowler, who has rattled all the big teams in the world with his searing pace, was unfit to play in tomorrow's match.

''He is experiencing some stiffness and restriction of movement in his back after bowling against Baroda (in the practice game) at the MIG Club ground on Friday. He would not be considered for tomorrow's match,'' Crocker said.

Bond has been out of cricket after the last World Cup in 2003 for more than a year because of a stress fracture in his back. He will now ''begin preparations from Tuesday for the next match (in Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium against Sri Lanka on Oct 20),'' Crocker said.

''He was keen to bowl today in preparation for tomorrow. We have taken a long-term view with Shane and decided it's best he doesn't bowl today or tomorrow,'' Crocker added. The Black Caps skipper Stephen Fleming described the injury as ''a disappointment''.

''It's not good news before a big game,'' he said.

The left-handed batsman, however, pointed out that the team had done without Bond in the past too and wanted to preserve the bowler with excellent action for the March-April World Cup, given the history of his back problems.

Fleming said they have known to experience the news of injury to their bowling spearhead in the past and ''we have been able to deal with it before also''.

''While the team is extremely disappointed for Shane, we still think that given the nature of the pitch (prepared for the tie against SA), we have opportunities with our bowlers to still be competitive,'' Fleming added.

''When you have a player who has had long-term back problem, it's always a concern and what we have decided to do is to be a bit conservative while dealing with his injuries.'' Fleming also said his team had another injury scare on hand, with Scott Styris too experiencing a ham-string twinge.

The team will decide on the all rounder's fitness after the nets in the evening under lights, he said.

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