New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has urged the Indian cricketers to sign the contentious World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) ‘whereabouts’ ...

Monday, August 10, 2009

WADA ‘whereabouts’ clause a necessity: Bond

Mumbai: New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has urged the Indian cricketers to sign the contentious World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) ‘whereabouts’ clause, stating that the code is a ‘necessity’.

“It’s not something that you like, but it’s also something that you got to do to protect cricket’s image. Assuming one per cent of the cricketers are into drugs, the others, the majority of 99 per cent, should not get tainted,” Bond told The Hindu in an exclusive chat.

“It did not take me more than an hour the first time I filled the forms. An official of Drug Free Sport in New Zealand, which does the testing for WADA in my country, guided me.

“On days I was not playing cricket, I gave the time as 6 a.m. when I would be present at my home on most occasions. In case there is a change in your schedule or you are travelling, you can inform them through the net or through sms. It would not take more than ten minutes,” the 34-year old said.

The express fast bowler rubbished the concept of day night Tests.

“I think the concept of four-day Tests or night Tests is rubbish. I do not agree with the two-tier format either. A Test championship seems a more feasible idea. I think the wickets, eventually, hold the key.”

“The pitches, generally, have become flatter round the world.”

“These days, the ball hardly seams or swings, there is less pace and bounce. The wickets are bone dry.”