Paul Collingwood relief at Shane Bond absence

By Austin Peters in Christchurch

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England one-day captain Paul Collingwood was happy to hear New Zealand would be without Shane Bond but insisted yesterday that the hosts would still be formidable in the coming series.

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England arrived yesterday ahead of the start of the five-match one-day series and Collingwood said Bond, who has signed up for the rebel Indian Cricket League and has therefore been left out of the New Zealand side, was a major loss.

"Any bowler who bowls 80 miles an hour [130 kilometres per hour] plus is very difficult to play against," said Collingwood. "He's the spearhead of their attack and very good at the death as well, he'll be a big loss," said Collingwood of injury-prone Bond, 32. He added, however, that he was not expecting an easy ride against the hosts.

"It will be a massive challenge for us. We've played them a lot recently, in the World Cup, and they're a very clever side. They beat Australia here last year, they have world-class players that can take the game away from you."

Collingwood cited batsman Ross Taylor, all-rounder Jacob Oram, wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum and captain Daniel Vettori as threats.

"New Zealand are a canny side. No matter who comes in I'm sure they'll put a good side out. The experience of Vettori is crucial ...they've got key individuals in the side - we know who they are."

England open the series against New Zealand on Feb 9 after two warm-up matches and two Twenty20 games. Three Tests follow in March.

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Related articles 4 January 2008: New Zealand in battle to keep Bond

External links English Cricket - ECB Cricinfo - New Zealand Cricket

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