Cricket: Bond's licence to thrill taken away.

Byline: By MYLES HODGSON

IAN BELL may have an easier task ahead on England's tour of New Zealand due to Shane Bond's absence from the opposition ranks - but he believes it is a bad sign for international cricket as a whole.

New Zealand's spearhead would have been themajor danger to England's batsmen in the two Twenty20 internationals, five one-day internationals and three Test matches scheduled over the next two months.

But the news yesterday that his contract with New Zealand Cricket had been terminated - which rules him out of contention for selection - because of his commitments with the rebel Indian Cricket League provides England with a major boost to their hopes of a successful tour.

The 32-year-old fast bowler had his deal annulled by mutual consent as he has signed up for the lucrative ICL on a three-year contract - a competition which is yet to be sanctioned by the ICC.

A recent ruling by the ICC that players cannot be made available for such tournaments created an untenable position for both New Zealand Cricket and Bond, and denies one of theworld's leading bowlers - he stands at number two in the world one-day rankings - the chance to play at the highest level.

"It's a good thing for us that he's not going to be playing, but he's also one of those guys that makes it very exciting to play international cricket and he's a guy who you want playing international cricket because it makes it well worth watching," said Bell, who played alongside Bond at Warwickshire during his spell as an overseas player in 2002.

"He's got a lot of variety, a very good slower ball and does swing it, certainly with the new ball. At Warwickshire he was a handful with the new ball and also playing against him a little in international cricket, I know why his record is so good.

"Where we are as a team, we're trying to build towards 2009 (for the Ashes) and it's important that we get momentum towards that.

Looking at the fixture list, every country we're playing against, whether it's New Zealand or South Africa, you want to play against their full-strength team.

"You want to go out there and build towards Australia and you don't want anyone making excuses because you want to beat the best sides in front of you.

"He certainly adds that little bit extra to New Zealand when he's available and it's disappointing for the series because he's one of the best in world cricket."

None of the English players to have featured in the event - Vikram Solanki, Darren Maddy, Chris Read and Paul Nixon - could be regarded as key members of England's squad.

But for New Zealand, Bond's absence is a major loss with Bell stressing: "Any side would miss a player with a record like Shane Bond.

After playing with him at Warwickshire, I know what an asset he is to a side. I used to field at short leg to him and I know that any side that doesn't have him as their spearhead will be at a loss."

CAPTION(S):

Ian Bell is given a traditional Maori welcome from Hongi as the England cricket squad reach the hotel in Christchurch, New Zealand; Shane Bond