New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has announced his retirement from all cricket.
Arriving home from the Twenty20 World Cup on Friday, Bond said he would not compromise the standards he believes are required to be successful to combat the intensity of International cricket.
Shane Bond says he has absolutely no regrets about his time in test cricket, despite having a career plagued with injuries, including stress fractures of the back.
Bond says it was not until the first few games of the World Twenty20 that he realised his body was slowing down.
He says he is extremely proud to have represented New Zealand and will miss the camaraderie with his team mates, but is pleased he can leave the game on his own terms.
Bond has no employment plans at the moment, but hopes to one day play a mentoring or coaching role for the Black Caps.
The 34-year-old played 18 tests, taking 87 wickets, and played 82 one day internationals.
Bond signed to play in the rebel Indian Cricket League in 2008 and had his New Zealand contract terminated. He returned into the New Zealand fold last year.
He is regarded as New Zealand's best pace bowler since Sir Richard Hadlee and became the quickest New Zealander to reach 50 test and 50 one-day international wickets.
