Shane Bond's return to international cricket got off to good start with him taking a wicket with first ball for New Zealand A.

Bond took a wicket with his first ball in the game against a Combined Districts XI in the Buchi Babu All-India Invitation Tournament.

After the New Zealanders lost the toss and were put into field in their second round match, the 34-year-old, playing in New Zealand colours for the first time since the third Test against South Africa in November 2007, struck with his first delivery, bowling Thalaivan Sargunam.

He eventually finished with three wickets for 26 runs as the Combined Districts side reached 359 for eight in their maximum 90 overs.

Bond, who has been in exile due to his involvement in the rebel Indian Cricket League, will join the senior New Zealand team in Sri Lanka for the limited-overs series along with Neil Broom, Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills at the completion of the tournament in India.

Mills took one for 40 and Tim Southee one for 32 in what was a difficult day in the field for the New Zealanders.

The Kiwis will attempt to overhaul the Combined Districts' total in the second and final day's play.

New Zealand's first round match against Andhra ended with both teams taking a point a piece after the second day's play was washed out.

New Zealand had scored 317 for nine on the opening day.