New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has announced his retirement from the Test arena due to concerns over his fitness.
The 34-year-old has been plagued with injuries throughout his career, but a recent abdominal muscle suffered in the Test series against Pakistan appears to have been the final straw.
Bond, who will continue to play in the shorter formats of the game, took 87 wickets in 18 Tests and is currently ninth in the ICC rankings.
However he admitted the workload of playing for five days was just too much for his body to cope with.
He said: "The hardest thing is that I've always considered myself a Test bowler - and it was such a great feeling to be back in the team last month and playing Test match cricket with the Black Caps.
Demands
"I've worked really hard to get back to Test match fitness - it's what I've been working towards for the past two years - and I feel I gave as much as I could.
"But looking back, so many of my injuries have come during Test cricket. Unfortunately my body just won't let me continue to play at that level, given the workload and demands of Test cricket.
"I don't want to end on an injury and I am absolutely committed to playing for the Black Caps.
"This way I hope I've got a better chance of continuing to play. I hope I'll be able to continue to contribute to the team and to New Zealand cricket fans for a while yet.
"It's been a tough call, because Test cricket remains the ultimate form of the game - but I'm comfortable I've made the right choice."
