CHRISTCHURCH (AFP)
New Zealand new fast bowling spearhead Shane Bond could be ruled out for six weeks with a stress fracture of the left foot. Bond will miss Wednesday's opening one-day international against England at the Jade Stadium in Christchurch and will undergo a scan to ascertain the extent of the damage.

If a stress fracture is confirmed, Bond, who took 21 wickets in the recent VB Series against Australia and South Africa, will miss the entire England tour. The New Zealand selectors have called up Northern Districts fast bowler Ian Butler to replace Bond for Wednesday's game which will see New Zealand take on a confident England side that recently drew 3-3 in India.

Bond emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in world cricket during the VB Series when his exploits earned him the Player of the Series award.

The injury first came to light during the first final against South Africa at Melbourne, and has refused to clear up despite intense treatment. "It's devastating for him and the team," said Sir Richard Hadlee, chairman of the New Zealand selectors. "We had just found a tremendous resource and asset, and to lose him like this is a blow, and means we have to try and groom somebody else."

The 20-year-old Butler's call-up has come as a complete surprise as he is in his first season with Northern Districts and has played just three first-class matches. He impressed the selectors during the two day-night warm-up games with England over the weekend when he took two wickets, but bowled with pace and hostility.

"Sometimes you have to take a punt on a player but this is the biggest call we have made during my time as chairman of selectors, and we just hope he can step up," Hadlee said. "We want him to bowl fast and if he sprays it all over the place, then so be it."

"When we got the news about Bond, we had to sit down and think who was at the top of the list and we wanted replace pace with pace. Clearly he lacks experience but what he has got that the others haven't got is express pace."

England allrounder Ben Hollioake has also been ruled out of Wednesday's game with a knee injury.

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