All-time combined India-New Zealand ODI XI

#11 Shane Bond

Shane Bond was fast, ferocious and lethal and terrified many batsmen in the world

Watching a fast bowler run hurriedly and send down the ball at blistering pace is one of cricket’s enduring delights and there were few who did that better than Shane Bond. Bond had a ‘short and sweet’ career for New Zealand. He was an ultra-fast bowler whose deliveries often met the bat with tremendous speed and ferocity.

He not only bowled at a scorching pace but could generate an appreciable amount of swing both ways without loss in pace, which often made him unplayable even for the best of the batsmen. While Bond intimidated all the teams he played against, he was devastating against Australia, the strongest team of his time, in particular.

Consistent injuries restricted his international appearances to just 18 test matches and 82 ODIs but that short stint was more than enough for him to make a lasting impression on the minds of the cricket lovers. Had he not been plagued by injuries, none would doubt that he would have become one of the most prolific bowlers in the history of the game.

When in full swing, he could slice through the most formidable batting line-ups like a hot knife through butter. For his express pace and genuine swing, Bond deserves the slot of the fast bowler in the combined XI.