NZ v BAN, 1st ODI Preview: Improved Bangladesh face Black Caps test

Prelude:

After having enjoyed the comfort of the home conditions in the last couple of years, Bangladesh is set to face a whole new level of challenge when they take on the strong New Zealand side in the one-day series starting Monday at the at the Hagley Oval.

Bangladesh might get a feel that they perhaps came here at a wrong time. A thrashing at the hands of Australia will surely pump up the Kane Williamson led New Zealand and his side obviously not give an inch to the opposition and be very aggressive. They will be in fact are desperate to get back on the winning track.

They can seek confidence from the dominant performance at home. For Bangladesh, it is their first away series after last visiting the West Indies in August 2014. Since then they have won six of seven home series which included 2-1 wins over India and South Africa and a 3-0 sweep over Pakistan before losing 2-1 to England two months ago.

New Zealand:

The 3-0 loss to Australia will linger in the mind of the hosts and the long net session and team meeting before the game at Christchurch clearly indicates they are not taking Bangladesh lightly. The debacle of the India tour has led to strong competition for places selectors chose to bring in fresh names to the squad.

New Zealand will rely on the explosive top-order combo of Martin Guptill and Tom Latham at the top. It will be interesting to see which player between Neil Broom and Henry Nicholls’ will take No. 4 place in the batting order. The wicketkeeper’s slot will also see Luke Ronchi and BJ Watling competing for the place behind the stumps. Williamson will also have to choose between James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme for the all-rounder’s positions respectively. The bowling attack will have the fine duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee at the helm while one among Matt Henry and fiery quick Lockie Ferguson will take the third seamer’s position. Mitchell Santner, the left-arm spinner, will take the spin bowling responsibility.

The bowling attack will have the fine duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee at the helm while one among Matt Henry and fiery quick Lockie Ferguson will take the third seamer’s position. Mitchell Santner, the left-arm spinner, will take the spin bowling responsibility.

Bangladesh:

Bangladesh is an improved side with names like Mustafizur Rahman, Sabbir Rahman, Soumya Sarkar and Mehedi Hasan Miraz. The experience of players like Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah also add value to the team making them pretty strong and competent.

The team formation is likely to remain the same which played the warm-up game in Whangarei. Barring Tamim Iqbal all others in the batting side had a productive time. Mustafizur, who was on a five-month layoff due to surgery on his left shoulder, proved his match fitness during Bangladesh’s warm-up game in Whangarei and is likely to play.

The core of the bowling attack consisting of Mashrafe Mortaza and Taskin Ahmed will lead the attack. The two young men in the side – off-spinner Mehedi Hasan and leg-spinner Tanbir Hayder – may also get to play while Subashis Roy and Rubel Hossain may have to warm the bench.

Asked about Mustafizur’s availabity in the first ODI, skipper Mashrafe Mortaza said, “The physio has cleared him. But it would be his call before we make a decision for his availability for tomorrow’s match.”

“This is where the player has to make a decision. If he feels that he has still some problem he will have to tell it to the team management. Obviously, we don’t want him to play under any undue pressure,” concluded Mortaza.

Probable XI

New Zealand:

Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (C), Neil Broom/Henry Nicholls, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi / BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry/ Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Bangladesh:

Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Tanbir Hayder/Mehedi Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed

Stats and trivia

1. Both Bangladesh (3) and New Zealand (7) have won and lost an equal number of ODIs in 2016 so far.

2. Bangladesh’s only international win in New Zealand was against Scotland in the 2015 World Cup.