Birthday special: Shane Bond – Top 3 spells in international cricket

While the fans have marvelled over several phenomenal cricketing careers over the years, they have also borne witness to some heartbreaking tales, laden with frustrations and tragedies. Former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond belongs to one of those breeds of cricketers who could have conquered the world with their ability but never fulfilled their potential due to a surfeit of injuries. Despite his shortcomings, the Kiwi speedster did manage to terrorize the batters in his shortened international career. On Shane Bond’s 48th birthday, we list some of the Kiwi icons’ most memorable performances.

6/51 and 4/48 against Zimbabwe, 2015

It was slaughter from the Kiwis when they travelled to Bulawayo for their second and final Test match of the series after a resounding victory in the Test series opener. A hapless Zimbabwe top order were made to look like amateurs after Bond dished a fiery spell with the new ball, accounting for four of the five top-order batters. He returned with career-best Test figures of 6/51 to restrict the host to a modest total. However, the Kiwi speedster was not done just yet, as he took his tally to ten wickets in the match after a four-for in the second innings, guiding the visitors to a whitewash in the Test series.

6/23 against Australia, 2003

A star-studded Australian batting line-up felt the wrath of Shane Bond when the Kangaroos took on Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup. The Aussie top order was blown away by Bond’s sizzling pace and accuracy as the Kiwi speedsters claimed four of the top five batters. He went on to account for six Australian batters, returning with the best figures by a Kiwi bowler in a WC clash before Tim Southee broke his record in the 2015 edition of the tournament.

6/19 against India, 2005

Shane Bond saved his career-best bowling performance in a white-ball match for a clash against Asian giants India in Bulawayo. The two teams squared off in the second match of a Triangular series involving New Zealand, India, and host Zimbabwe. Stephen Fleming’s side batted first in the contest but were made to sweat for every run as a young Irfan Pathan and Ashish Nehra put on a clinic with the new ball. However, the Kiwis did manage to post a respectable total on the board, thanks to a whirlwind riposte from wicketkeeper-dasher Brendon McCullum. The Indians, in their reply, suffered a similar fate as Shane Bond made a mockery of a star-studded batting order, returning with glorious figures of 6/19.