By Steve Beauchamp� BBC Sport Online

New Zealand cricket watchers have recently enjoyed some great memories.

There were the fighting performances during the three drawn Tests and four one-day victories against Australia.

And the Black Caps' inaugural Test series win in the West Indies was a major boost.

They also have a new hero in Shane Bond.

The fiery 27-year-old right arm quick bowler broke through into professional cricket last December - after nearly choosing a career in the police.

Steve Waugh: Bond's first Test victim

But a stress fracture of the foot sustained during last winter's one-day series in Australia forced Bond to sit out the home rubber with England.

However he returned for the Caribbean trip, taking five wickets in each of the two Tests.

Bond is currently in England after joining Warwickshire as temporary replacement for Shaun Pollock.

Bond told BBC Sport Online: "I've missed four months with injury so I need match practice, though my contract stipulates that I can't bowl more than 20 overs per day.

"In the West Indies my bowling got better and better. I was just peaking when the tour ended.

"My pace was good and I was attacking well but I was still bowling too much loose stuff."

The break gave Bond the time to work with national coach Ashley Ross on his technique.

Bond could play a big role at the World Cup

"My run up was wobbly and inconsistent, my feet were a little splayed and I was landing on the outside of the foot which I'd fractured.

"Until recently, I'd only played club cricket, so my action had never been analysed."

Pace is undoubtedly his prime asset - regularly clocking 90mph.

"I've got quicker since I started playing Tests - at one time I was just another medium pacer."

Bond enjoyed a productive summer in 1999 with Northern Lancashire League club Furness.

But after taking a record 118 wickets, Bond returned home that winter to undertake his police training.

"I needed financial security and playing for Canterbury in Christchurch couldn't provide that.

Bond dismissing Adam Gilchrist in the VB Series

"So I took the season off, but when I came back I was mentally tougher and seemed hungrier.

"Crucially, I was also bowling much quicker."

A New Zealand 'A' call up followed in August 2001. Bond impressed sufficiently to receive the first of his six Test and 13 ODI caps, against Australia in Hobart three months later.

His first scalp was a prized one indeed - Aussie captain Steve Waugh, trapped lbw for nought, the culmination of a torrid over.

"That gave me belief. I'd been asking myself what I was doing there, but seeing a player of Steve's quality jumping around gives you confidence."

And where will Bond and New Zealand cricket, be come the end of March next year?

"I'm sure we can beat India in the upcoming Test series. As for the World Cup, we should make it out of our group, beat Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

"After that, who knows? Personally, I want to be one of the tournament's leading bowlers, and hopefully return to play for a longer spell in English cricket next summer."