Shane Bond’s arrival is probably the most significant happening in New Zealand cricket since the halcyon days of Richard Hadlee in the ’80s. Bond burst into the arena against Australia during the 2001-02 series, and since then his stock has continued to rise. The one-dimensional, thoroughly medium-paced attack of the mid-’90s has now become a balanced one, with the atypical Kiwi trundler now complemented by a bit of grunt at the other end. Add to the mix Daniel Vettori, and all of a sudden you have a group of bowlers who give Fleming quite a few options to work with. The pitches in South Africa, moreover, will suit Bond nicely, and the Kiwis will be relying on him for early breakthroughs and reverse-swinging yorkers during the slog overs.