By Scott Heinrich BBC Sport Online

The availability of paceman Shane Bond for the West Indies tour is a reason to rejoice for New Zealand cricket supporters.

Bond's emergence as a fast bowler of true quality was a real plus for the Black Caps, and their attack developed a threadbare look in his absence.

The rawness he injected into the Kiwi side when thrusting to prominence in Australia was notable by its absence as the side subsequently laboured against England and Pakistan.

Although New Zealand managed to draw the third Test against England and force a series draw, the cutting edge he provides with his pace was sorely missed.

And while he alone could not have shaken Pakistan's supremacy during their most recent tour, he would well have minimised it.

Bond gatecrashed the ODI scene in Australia

Bond's timely alleviates their considerable injury concerns, and he could be in for a profitable time if at the top of his game.

But equally, history suggests he could return home with his average in tatters if he affords the West Indies batsmen an easy time on their home turf, such is the variable record of Kiwi fast bowlers who have chanced their arm there.

What is certain is that New Zealand will need him to be firing if they are to do something about what is an unflattering record in the Caribbean.

Three previous visits - in 1972, 1985 and 1996 - failed to bring New Zealand a single Test match victory.

Distinction

The five Tests played 30 years ago were all drawn, and right-arm pace bowler Bruce Taylor emerged from that tour with distinction.

He was brought into the team after the first Test at Kingston, where the New Zealand attack mustered a combined total of just seven wickets.

His impact was immediate and Taylor finished the series with 27 wickets at an average of 17 after propping up his fellow bowlers.

Main strike bowler Bob Cunis endured a wretched tour, by contrast, taking just six wickets at a whopping average of 102.

Unfortunately for New Zealand, Taylor's performance would prove to be something of an exception, but it does show that success is attainable.

Hadlee was quiet by his standards in the West Indies

It was Sir Richard Hadlee's turn next in 1985, and, though he predictably led the way in challenging the great Windies side of that era, even he toiled.

It was to be a forlorn task, with Viv Richards' men winning the last two Tests of the four-match series to win 2-0.

Hadlee's 15 scalps were closely followed by Ewen Chatfield with 14, but Hadlee's concession of just 27 runs for each wicket stood out among the relative expense of his team-mates.

Chatfield, 10 of whose wickets came in the first Test, cost his side 34 runs for each wicket taken and even that was good in comparison to others.

The Kiwi side who lost one Test and drew one in 1996 featured Danny Morrison as their best bowler, and while he performed fairly the Kiwis were exposed as thin in that department and again fell short.

New Zealand slow bowlers to have made an impact on Caribbean pitches are even harder to find, not that the likes of Dipak Patal and Chris Harris were burdened by opportunity.

The message is clear, if somewhat self-evident: To even contemplate victory in the West Indies, New Zealand will need a fast bowler to stand up and shoulder the wicket-taking load.

While the likes of Daryl Tuffey and Chris Martin will doubtless put their backs into it, maybe, just maybe, Bond could be the man for the job.