A three-nil loss in the ODI series, a mostly rained-outwarm-up match, and a line-up that’s missing two of their senior cricketers – ithas been a troublesome path to the first Test against New Zealand forBangladesh. Besides, of late, the home side doesn’t lose a lot here inHamilton.
But then, going by the recent trend in Test cricket, NewZealand would be wary of the supposed underdogs. Despite everything, Bangladeshare technically in great Test form, having won their last three games, only thesecond time in their history that they have won three Tests in a row.
In those three Tests, Bangladesh’s spinners took 55 out ofthe 57 wickets that went to their bowlers, with six five-fors. In fact theydidn’t pick a seamer in the last of those Tests, against West Indies in Dhaka,where Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan ran throughthe visitors. Of course, that was all in favourable conditions.
Their batting line-up, which looked so brittle in the ODIseries, will be without the injured Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib, two of theirmost experienced middle-order batsmen. Tamim Iqbal and captain Mahmudullah willhave to take up more responsibility as Bangladesh’s batting resources arestretched to the limit.
In the New Zealand camp, things seem smoother. They have asettled squad, with only left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel left out from their lastTest against Sri Lanka. Legspinner Todd Astle is his replacement, but they willlook to blast the visitors out with pace. Trent Boult and Tim Southee will leadan attack that consists of Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme. Matt Henry toois another useful option, particularly having done well in the ODIs.
Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls are also in good Test form,having made big second-innings hundreds against Sri Lanka in December, and bothhave looked in good touch in the preceding ODIs too. They are part of a usuallysolid New Zealand top order, which will be handful for a newish Bangladesh paceattack that will rely heavily on Mustafizur Rahman.
Trent Boult took a nine-wicket match haul against Sri Lankain New Zealand’s previous Test match. He didn’t let up in the limited-oversgames since then either. It all adds up to a cause for worry for Bangladesh,who haven’t yet found a way to get past his first spell untouched.
Mahmudullah is back at the scene of his maiden Test hundred,this time as captain. Although he wasn’t among the runs in the ODI series,Mahmudullah has had two Test hundreds in his last five innings. Agencies