By Paresh Soni BBC Sport in Jamaica

He's bowling through niggles and pains which in the past caused him to leave the field Former NZ batsman Mark Richardson on Shane Bond

Much of New Zealand's success at this World Cup has been put down to their work ethic, organisation and captain Stephen Fleming's leadership.

But without star quality even the most efficient of teams cannot dream of glory, and for the Kiwis it comes largely in the shape of one man: Shane Edward Bond.

The paceman has claimed 12 wickets in seven games to help his side reach the semi-finals, where they face Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

There is little doubt other teams fear him more than any of his team-mates.

"The difference he makes to the side is massive. Every side needs a spearhead," former opening batsman Mark Richardson told BBC Sport.

"When Shane was in our side, we took the field with a side capable of winning a Test match as opposed to drawing."

Bond has not always been able to provide that cutting edge during a career ravaged by injuries, particularly to his back.

Since making his Test debut in November 2001 he has featured in only 16 Tests and 66 one-day internationals and his stunning averages in both main forms of the game - 22.10 and 19.00 - show how much his absence has hurt his side in that time.

I don't think we'll see him retire of his own volition Mark Richardson

"He's just not going to have the number of wickets behind him so he is likely to be remembered as a bowling anomaly rather than one of the great fast bowlers."

Bond has enjoyed one of his longest injury-free runs in the past six months.

But gone are the days when he charged in and unleashed a succession of deliveries at 90-95mph. Now, he relies on movement through the air as his main weapon.

He has been virtually unplayable on every surface in the Caribbean, as England (St Lucia), West Indies (Antigua), Sri Lanka and South Africa (both Grenada) have found.

"You're talking about a kid who's had a million stress fractures all the way through his life and he's always going to have a back that will cause him problems," Richardson said.

"He realises his time might be limited, so he's bowling through niggles and pains which in the past caused him to leave the field and seek rehabilitation.

"He hasn't bowled at the pace he can - and he knows he can't do that. He's had a congested career, spending two years bowling really quickly rather than the usual eight, and he's now bowling at a fast-medium pace.

"The strength of Shane Bond is his ability to swing the ball late - almost reverse swinging the new ball - and he's a wiser man who has had to learn fast.

So at the age of 31, things are finally going swimmingly for Bond and New Zealand could reap the rewards from his survival instinct.

Bond is a popular figure with New Zealand's supporters

Richardson, however, fears trouble could strike at any time.

"I think the next big injury could end it all - and there is a sad inevitability that he will pick up one if he keeps going.

"It's hard to look past two or three years with Shane Bond - it's hard to look past the next game to tell you the truth.

"I know in his mind he feels he has unfinished business to take care of because he hasn't picked up the wickets he knows he can get and that might keep him going.

"But I don't think we'll see him retire of his own volition - we'll see him forced to retire, although as a New Zealand fan I hope that's a few years off."

For the time being, the Kiwis can enjoy a bowler at the height of his powers, or at the level his body will allow.

When they face Sri Lanka in Jamaica, Bond will be crucial to their chances of success.

There is a sense of salvation in what the coming week could offer him but Richardson thinks it is more likely to end in disappointment.

"He hasn't had a long career, but if you can be a World Cup winner no-one can take that away from you.

"And if you play a major part - which Shane will have to for New Zealand to win - it will be very satisfying," he added.

"New Zealand can beat Sri Lanka, they've done it before on numerous occasions and we play Muttiah Muralitharan better than most nations.