Warwickshire County Cricket Club are delighted to announce that New Zealand pace bowling sensation Shane Bond has signed up as overseas player for the Bears in 2003 following his highly successful spell with the club at the end of last season.

The twenty seven year old right arm fast bowler from Christchurch finally agreed terms to secure his services at Edgbaston for the major part of the summer, and is expected to fly to the UK at the conclusion of New Zealand's tour to Sri Lanka on May 31st 2003.

Bond's meteoric rise to fame came after making his Test Match debut against Australia at Hobart in 2001 where he demonstrated genuinely quick pace and bounce from a smooth and compact run-up to the wicket.

Recently selected by the New Zealand Cricket Board for one of their 20 central contracts Bond also added to his appeal by proving himself to be more than useful with the bat, and an accomplished fielder.

Warwickshire were fortunate enough to secure his services to play in August 2002 whilst he was touring with the New Zealand squad in West Indies, and he was quick to join the Bears for their search for trophies last summer during Shaun Pollock's enforced absence due to international call-up. In a period of only 3 weeks Bond took 12 wickets in County Championship cricket, at an average of 27.50 including best bowling figures of 5 for 64 in his final appearance at Taunton, and demonstrated a flair for English bowling conditions.

Commenting on the signing Warwickshire's Chief Executive, Dennis Amiss said "Shane's decision to commit to Warwickshire next summer is a great boost to the Club, and we see him playing a vital role in our highly talented and motivated squad next summer".

© Warwickshire CCC