Shane Bond

Wellington, Feb 19 NZPA - Pace bowler Shane Bond returns to New Zealand colours for the limited overs leg of Australia's cricket tour of New Zealand.

Bond, who recently retired from test cricket, was tonight included in the 12-man squad for two Twenty20 matches and 13-man squad for five one-day internationals.

He replaces Ian Butler in the only change to the Twenty 20 group who prepared for the one-off defeat of Bangladesh this month. The Twenty20 matches against Australia are in Wellington on Friday next week and Christchurch on Sunday.

Bond, veteram Auckland allrounder Scott Styris and Otago offspinner Nathan McCullum are the new faces in an expanded one-day squad, coming in for Butler and pace bowler Andy McKay, who is nursing an injured foot. The one-day series takes in games in Napier (March 3), Auckland (March 6), Hamilton (March 9), Auckland (March 11) and Wellington (March 13).

Two tests in Wellington and Hamilton follow the limited overs series.

The only player in the Twenty20 squad who won't play the one-dayers is Auckland wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins while Otago batsman Neil Broom and Styris are picked for the one-dayers only.

New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch said Bond was primed to return after missing the Bangladesh series to ensure he was fully fit to face Australia.

"We're very happy with Shane's progress," Greatbatch said.

"He's had 5-6 games now with Canterbury and club cricket and he's ready to go. He's very, very excited ... he's always saved his best for them so he's looking forward to getting stuck in and helping us.

"He offers a lot, he's a professional and he's experienced. He bowls quick and he's a real asset to (captain) Daniel Vettori as far as the bowling is concerned so we're excited to have him back."

Styris was a surprise omission from the squads to face Bangladesh and Greatbatch said he had done enough to earn a recall.

"Scotty's had very good domestic form. We asked him to go away and try to extend his game and we feel that he's done that."

Greatbatch said Australia would be a significant step up from Bangladesh and hoped his side had enough quality to challenge a side who have been dominant on their home patch this summer.

"No doubt about that, they're a top side. We've got a good blend of experience and youth. We've got a pretty good fielding unit, we're going to have to play to our max to compete against Australia but when you play the yellows from across the ditch, it inspires guys and we're looking forward to trying to achieve a series win against them," he said.

"Our top four batters are producing the goods. Peter Ingram's a young one as far as experience is concerned but he's showing composure. Then you've got more experienced guys like Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor, and Martin Guptill's going from strength to strength.

Squads:

Twenty20: Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Peter Ingram, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, James Franklin, Jacob Oram, Gareth Hopkins, Nathan McCullum,

Tim Southee, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond

One-day international: Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Peter Ingram, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Neil Broom, James Franklin, Jacob Oram, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond