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Shane Bond and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) are reportedly heading for a lengthy litigation process although a mediator has stepped in to help resolve the fast bowler’s dispute with the national body.
The Herald on Sunday newspaper today reported the stand-off between Bond and NZC was poised to head to the Employment Court because the pace bowling spearhead wants to play home and away series against England despite signing on with the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League (ICL) Twenty/20 competition.
By joining the rebel league Bond — who is contracted to NZC until the end of May — is now considered ineligible for selection because the International Cricket Council (ICC) have urged member countries not to name players who have aligned themselves with the ICL.
The 32-year-old, who signed a three-year $3.1 million deal with the ICL has been told he cannot play against England unless he reneges on a lucrative contract that sets the injury-plagued former policeman up for life financially.
Both of Bond’s contracts are now being examined by lawyers.
Talks with Bond and his representatives began almost a fortnight ago as an 11th-hour effort was made by NZC to extract Bond from his ICL contract.
Discussions foundered and a mediator has been called in to try to prevent the dispute reaching the Employment Relations Authority.
The crux of the matter is whether Bond breached his contract with NZC by signing with the ICL. He is the top-ranked New Zealand cricketer and is on a retainer of more than $120,000 through to June 1.
The dispute is further clouded by the fact NZC cleared him to sign with the ICL almost certainly in written form.
Employment law specialist Hamish Kynaston told the Herald on Sunday, said that document could be construed as legally binding.
Bond and NZC have remained silent on the issue since discussions escalated, though there may be progress this week.
Meanwhile, Bond returned to action for Canterbury in the domestic Twenty/20 competition on Friday having recovered from an abdominal tear sustained during New Zealand’s tour of South Africa in November.
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