Comments on: Welcoming home the prodigal sons

By: Will they? Won’t they? | Crucket

Will they? Won’t they? | Crucket — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:00:11 +0000

[...] has been a while now since the possibility of the rebel players returning arose, with the ICL offering to release the NZ players from their contracts. We’ve heard nothing [...]

By: Leg Break

Leg Break — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:32:52 +0000

Oops, that’ll be the ICL I guess

Perhaps not formally retired from tests but had gone public and to NZC after limping home from the South African tour saying he’d never play tests again.

NZC, for some unknown reason, said they’d support him in that.

I’m lukewarm about his returning; he let NZ down more than he really achieved for them. Would just become a sideshow.

He will make himself available for NZ for the short stuff though; he has to.

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:37:50 +0000

Bond had retired from test cricket prior to his signing for the IPL.

Not formally was my understanding, but most importantly, it was the ICL he signed with .

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:32:58 +0000

So why does no one seem cheered by the prospect of Bond’s return?

There is huge expectation for seeing Bond back, throughout the country. It greatly exceeds the likelihood of him ever being available to play for NZ again, his own desire to play for NZ and, quite frankly, the impact he will have if he did return.

By: Adverbin

Adverbin — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 15:38:29 +0000

I was surprised at the lukewarm response to Bond’s availability. I remember earlier a few grumpy comments – mostly Australian I suspect, but atleast 1 NZer – on various blogs about BCCI’s conspiracy to deprive opponents of their best players to ensure the no.1 ranking for India. So why does no one seem cheered by the prospect of Bond’s return?

By: Leg Break

Leg Break — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 11:59:43 +0000

Bond had retired from test cricket prior to his signing for the IPL.

You’re right Ben. Tuffey is the only tet candidate out of that lot.

And he’s have made no impact today

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 06:38:45 +0000

Remind me again why he [bond] doesnt want to play for NZ?

His claim would be that it is because he was treated so badly regarding his signing of his ICL contract.

My rather cynical opinion is that it is because he is grumpy he couldn’t have his cake and eat it.

It should be noted that he was planning on quitting test cricket anyway. He never actually formally retired, so he hung around on the ratings list for ages.

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 06:31:47 +0000

But now, I think only Adams and Tuffey would have a chance at international selection

I reckon Vincent might get a look in too (though I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t get a very good reception from NZC, seeing as he bailed on his contract). While I have hopes for our current top 5, we have to expect that they won’t all work out or will fall out of form, giving Lou a way back in. Don’t forget too that Ryder is only there while he behaves himself. It would be very sensible for us to have some insurance against that no. 5 spot.

Tuffey would be nice to have back to throw into the mix. His form was atrocious just before he went for the ICL, but as the article I linked to says, that was mostly a confidence issue.

By: damiths

damiths — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 06:14:06 +0000

Its a shame about Bond, I hope he reconsiders playing for the Kiwis, its a great side watching him run in and scare batsmen.

Remind me again why he doesnt want to play for NZ?

Tuffey will be a good addition as well.

Lets see how it pans out

By: profernity

profernity — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 02:12:47 +0000

Agreed. Had this been a year ago, we might have been clamouring for the return of Vincent, Bond, Tuffey, Adams, Astle and McMillan. But now, I think only Adams and Tuffey would have a chance at international selection – well, to be honest, all of them would be a chance given the selector’s apparent dartboard method, but I meant becoming a more permanant fixture in the team – because none of the others are opening batsmen, and Bond had already retired from test cricket before the ICL stuff, so he’d probably be most suited to 20/20 (4 overs before he breaks his back).