The former New Zealand and Canterbury fast bowler was in Dunedin yesterday, promoting his book, Looking Back. The visit was his first to the city since he played his final test, in which he led New Zealand to victory on the last day against Pakistan a year ago.
Plenty has happened in cricket since that day, not least the accusations over Pakistan match-fixing, as well as Bond retiring from all forms of cricket.
Bond, though, said yesterday he had no doubts about the validity of the result of his last test.
"To me they [Pakistan] seemed to be playing hard and really wanted to win, and so did we. It was a great test match, just with it going down to the wire, the great crowd we had there and ultimately getting the result," he said.
"A great way to go out, really, of test cricket. Twenty/20 probably wasn't as great but that is the way it goes."
No sooner had Bond retired than he picked up the coaching reins.
Provincial side Central Districts asked him to go to South Africa for the Champions League tournament and that association is to continue in the domestic twenty/20 competition this summer.
"It is something I enjoy and I do like being around the team environment, helping out and trying to get guys get better.
"But it is something that I am just learning. I didn't expect to be involved this quickly at the first-class level."
Otago is likely to have a vacancy for a coach next year when Mike Hesson stands down but Bond (35) said he had not given any thought to applying for that position.
Christchurch-born Bond said he had no regrets over his playing career, despite it being hampered by injury.
"I'm satisfied with what happened. In the end, I had 10 years in and around the team, doing something that I absolutely loved. I played in some great games with some great people."
With the advent of twenty/20 and batsmen-friendly pitches, the game may appear to be swinging away from bowlers but Bond said there was still a place in the game for fast men.
"There are still a hugely important part of the game. You look at the twenty/20 competitions. The [franchise] owners there still wanted real fast bowlers who can knock guys over early. There is still definitely a role in the game for them."
Bond said for a young bowler to make his way in the world sacrifices had to be made.
"They have to start getting into their work when they are 15 or 16. There is a lot of hard work to be done. I just don't mean getting in and doing the weights, but putting in the overs. You probably can't afford to be going out and getting on the drink all the time. Sacrifices have to be made.
"Those years between 18 to 20 are critical ones. You really have to work hard."
Bond felt New Zealand should be reasonably satisfied with its current tour of India, and if all the key players fired it could be a chance at the World Cup next year.
"But I would fancy India and Sri Lanka. They're at home, in their conditions which suit them, and they have the big match players."
