England players had barely showered and changed after landing in New Zealand before their prospects for the Test and one-day series got a lot better. After days of legal discussions, Shane Bond was told that he will not be picked by the home team, having signed a three-year deal to play in the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Although the central contract between Bond and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) that was due to expire at the end of May has been cancelled by mutual consent, the fast bowler was keen to play in the five 50-overs matches and three Tests against England, placing them above the ICL in his priorities.

Paul Collingwood, the England one-day captain, said that the squad had been preparing to face Bond. “He will be a big loss,” Collingwood said. “He is the spearhead of their attack, difficult to face at 90mph and very effective at the death.”

Ian Bell echoed those words, his opinion given greater credence because he has not only faced Bond but also played alongside him for Warwickshire. “Any side would miss Shane,” Bell said. “People know about his pace, but he is clever as well because he can swing it and he has a really good slower ball.”

Four England cricketers - Chris Read, Darren Maddy, Vikram Solanki and Paul Nixon - played in the ICL's debut competition last month and, while they have not technically been banned by England, the ECB has told the selectors to take their participation into account when choosing Test or one-day squads. None has been chosen for this winter's senior or England Lions tours.

NZC said that Bond, 32, had initially been given permission to sign for the ICL because there was no clash with international fixtures. Subsequently, however, the ICC reminded New Zealand of a 2003 regulation that prohibits release of a contracted player for unsanctioned cricket.

Justin Vaughan, the NZC chief executive, kept the door open for a return if Bond leaves the ICL or the organisation folds. But the strong feeling here last night was that one of the most frustrating international careers of the past decade has ended amid regret and disappointment.

Bond played only 17 Tests - none against England - and 67 one-day games during a period punctuated heavily by injury. No doubt his poor fitness record made the offer from the ICL - estimated at more than £400,000 for the next tournament alone, starting next month - too lucrative to reject.

The decision underlines the strength of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in preserving the primacy of its own, officially sanctioned Indian Premier League, which is due to begin in mid-April and has attracted more than $1 billion (about £500 million) over a ten-year period in the richest deal struck between cricket and television.

The ICL may also feel that it has gained in kudos. For the first time, a leading player has been prepared to end his international career to throw in his lot with it. Mohammad Yousuf, the Pakistan batsman, pulled out last year when he realised the implications of his decision to join.

Neutrals, though, must find it curious that a country of limited resources has been made to overlook its best bowler when he is yet to play in the ICL. Bell said: “He makes the world game more exciting and really you want those guys to be playing.”