We are going to make it harder for Bangladesh in third ODI: Tim Southee

New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has assured one and all that Bangladesh will not be dealt a free hand when it comes to playing the third and final ODI of the series. The second ODI saw Neil Broom steal the show with some phenomenal batsmanship as the Kiwis went on to clinch the series.

However. Southee has reassured that the Bangladeshis would not be taken lightly and that the hosts will be looking for a clean sweep. “We know going to Bangladesh isn’t easy so we want to make it as tough as we can for them when they come here,” Southee said.

“A lot of the guys who have been to Bangladesh know it’s a tough place to go and they’re great cricketers in their own conditions and they’re always improving game by game overseas,” Southee said. “Although the series is done and we’ve won that, we can’t relax because they’re a quality side and we have to be at the top of our game.”

Southee also spoke on honing his own Test skills in the upcoming months with Test matches coming thick and fast. “With the nature of chopping and changing formats and what not, and the quick turn around from the Twenty20 series and the test series, it’s a chance to hone in on my Test skills and it’s a chance to see what the depth is like,” he added.

The 28-year old also spoke on the inclusion of Jeetan Patel in the Test side. “Kane and what he did with the left-handers (in the second ODI), it’s just about having that extra option of a quality, experienced off-spinner coming into the mix,” Southee said of Jeetan Patel’s inclusion.