Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 1052 Fri. May 18, 2007  
   
Sports


Bond best in New Zealand


Fast bowler Shane Bond has been named as New Zealand's cricket player of the year after returning to dominating form for the recent World Cup.

Bond bagged 38 one-day international wickets during the 2006-07 season, including a hattrick against Australia. During the World Cup in the Caribbean, he took 16 wickets at an average of 16.38.

The 31-year-old speedster also took 10 wickets in two Tests against Sri Lanka during the season.

He took home two awards -- player of the year and one-day bowler of the year -- at a ceremony in Auckland late Wednesday.

Bond has been plagued by injury since making his international debut in the 2001-02 season but has taken 74 Test wickets at an average of 22.10 and 125 one-day wickets at 19.32.