At full tilt, Shane Bond was a terrific exponent of pace bowling

Shane Bond, one of the finest fast bowlers ever to appear for New Zealand, has announced his retirement from all cricket at the age of 34.

He excelled in one-day internationals and Twenty20s, but persistent injuries limited him to just 18 Test caps.

Bond said: "I dreamed of playing for New Zealand when I was six.

"The reality of what has unfolded was more than I could ever hope for and I have been extremely proud to represent New Zealand. I am going to miss this."

Bond took 147 wickets in 82 one-day internationals at an economy rate of 4.28 per over, and 25 in T20 internationals, going for exactly seven runs an over.

606: DEBATE How good a bowler was Bond?

He made his Test debut against Australia in 2001 in Tasmania, with Steve Waugh his first victim, and went on to take a further 86 wickets in the five-day game.

Bond added: "I know now is the time to bow out. I am very keen at some stage to put something back into the game in New Zealand.''

The man from Canterbury was, at his peak, one of the fastest bowlers in the game and had a spell at the top of the world rankings in one-day internationals.

If he can help out our future fast bowlers it is only going to be an asset NZ captain Daniel Vettori

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said: "We shall all miss Shane in the international arena. His speed and ability struck fear into batsmen from every team in world cricket.

"He has been a real match-winner. Shane has had an inspirational presence about him and has been a great role model for younger team mates."

Black Caps skipper Daniel Vettori said: "For me personally it is a big loss, but I know how much effort he puts in to stay on the park. He knows his body and he knows what he needs to do to prepare for international cricket.

"I think that if we can hold on to Shane in any capacity in cricket, if he can help out our future fast bowlers it is only going to be an asset."

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