New boys ‘at home’ as Taylor decision looms
A question mark remains over Ross Taylor’s availability for the second ODI against Bangladesh in Christchurch tomorrow but if the Black Caps have to do without the classy veteran for a second game they won’t be too worried.
New boys Devon Conway, Will Young and Daryl Mitchell didn’t get much of a chance to show their wares against the Tigers in Dunedin on Saturday, but paceman Trent Boult says they have fitted seamlessly into the ODI camp and belief is high they will do whatever job is asked of them.
‘‘The group is pretty familiar with the style of cricket we want to play in this format,’’ Boult said.
‘‘It’s pretty unique that we had three ODI debuts, but they looked at home really.
‘‘I know they didn’t get a real chance to show themselves with the bat but Will is an established first-class cricketer and Devon has obviously had a great start to his career as well.
‘‘It’s a little bit different without Kane [Williamson] and Ross in that lineup but it’s nice to know there is a bit of depth there.’’
Taylor was ruled out of the first
Scores from the first one-dayer on Saturday: in 41.5 overs (Trent Boult 4-27, Jimmy Neesham 2-27, Mitchell Santner 2-23) lost to in 21.2 overs (Henry Nicholls 49no, Martin Guptill 38, Devon Conway 27).
ODI with a small hamstring tear and the Black Caps could take a cautious approach to his return, especially if they want to take a closer look at Conway and Young with the bat.
The duo spent a limited amount of time at the crease in Dunedin and were under little
pressure, meaning coach Gary Stead learnt little he didn’t already know about them.
Boult also hinted the newcomers would have been slightly disappointed not to have the chance to impose themselves after becoming the 198th, 199th and 200th players to represent the Black Caps in ODIs.
‘‘Guys are hungry to put their stamp on it as well,’’ Boult said of the well-oiled Black Caps machine. ‘‘It feels like they have been part of the woodwork for a long time.
‘‘Daryl has had a good start to international cricket, especially with the red ball.
‘‘It was a good vibe going on in the change room and in the camp this week.
‘‘There is still a lot of hard work ahead to win this series but we’re going to grounds we enjoy playing cricket over the next couple of days.
‘‘Hopefully, they do have a role to play at some point in the series and I know they’ll be keen to fill that role.’’
Bangladesh are likely to improve at Hagley Oval tomorrow. Pace bowler Taskin Ahmed cut a bitterly disappointed figure after the game but recent history shows that visiting teams coming out of a quarantine period can get better quickly.
Australia were thrashed in the first T20 game of the series in Christchurch last month before improving markedly in Dunedin and then grabbing two victories in Wellington, and Boult said the quality of Bangladesh’s lineup pointed to a more competitive performance tomorrow.
Bangladesh 131
NZ 132-2