over. Therefore, he earned money from the ICL which would guarantee his family's future. He also stated that he had no regrets and that he was a "victim of politics" because he defected. Once he terminated his contract with the ICL in June 2009 he returned to international cricket. In May 2009, the Indian Cricket League announced that several players had been released from their contracts, and in June Bond confirmed to New Zealand Cricket that he had severed ties with the unofficial league, effectively making himself available to be selected for the national team. He was duly awarded a central contract for the 2009/10 season. Hampshire On 22 February 2008, Bond signed for English domestic cricket team Hampshire. Bond played four County Championship matches for the club, taking 19 wickets at a bowling average of 19.21, with best figures of 7/66 which came on debut against Sussex. This was one of Bond's two five-wicket hauls for the club. Additionally, Bond played in three List-A matches for Hampshire, taking 3 wickets at a bowling average of 17.00, with best figures of 3–11. Indian Premier League At the auction held for the third season of the lucrative IPL, Shane Bond was one of the main attractions, with his final price being over US$750,000, because of the undisclosed tiebreaker money above the $750,000. His services were purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders, owned by Shahrukh Khan. International career Bond's first chance at international level came early in the 2001/02 season, when, following an impressive display in a match for the New Zealand academy against the touring Australian academy, he received a call-up to the Test squad to tour Australia. His debut came in the Second Test at Hobart when he was chosen ahead of Chris Martin on account of his extra pace. He had a forgettable debut in a rain-affected match, taking one for 135 in Australia's only innings. He fared little better in the Third Test at Perth, taking two for 154 in the match, which ended in a draw. Shortly thereafter, in the 2001–02 VB Series against Australia and South Africa, he earned a player-of-the-tournament award for taking 21 wickets in nine games. After the tournament he suffered a foot injury, one of the many that would mar his career, but was back in action for New Zealand's 2002 tour of the West Indies. He was the side's top wicket taker