The New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond says his body just isn't up to it anymore and that's prompted him to announce his retirement from all cricket.
Arriving home from the Twenty20 World Cup, Bond says he won't compromise his own standards which he believes are required to be successful in international cricket.
Bond made his debut for the Black Caps eight years ago, but his career has been blighted by injury. He played just 18 Tests taking 87 wickets and played 82 one day internationals.
He says it was during the series against Australia in March, that he started thinking about giving up - he felt he was starting to slow down, he found getting his battered almost 35-year-old body up in the morning and up for training was getting tougher.
The upcoming tours on the subcontinent reminded the 34-year-old how much work he had to do last time to prepare properly for the rigours of international cricket and, combined with his perception he was slowing down, prompted his decision to retire.
Bond says though he is stepping down now, he hopes to put something back into the game in the future.
He was 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.
