Black Caps steeled for Bangladesh rematch
In a fortnight’s time, Bangladesh’s breakthrough victory over New Zealand will barely rate a mention when they reconvene for the cricket match that matters.
The Black Caps bid farewell to Ireland with the tri-series trophy in hand but an annoying lump in their plane seats after Bangladesh beat them for the first time in 17 one-day internationals away from home in Clontarf yesterday.
Coach Mike Hesson gave credit to a full-strength Bangladesh, who moved past Sri Lanka to sixth on the world rankings, and had a small flick at his batsmen for being 20 runs short and his bowlers for being too wide when they should have defended 270-8. Bangladesh won by five wickets with 10 balls to spare.
But, when the New Zealanders meet their contingent of Indian Premier League absentees Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell McClenaghan in London it won’t matter much.
It’s a case of draw a line under the tri-series, in which they won their first three and unveiled an impressive stand-in captain Tom Latham, and finally switch focus to the Champions Trophy starting with a warmup match against India at The Oval on Sunday night (NZT). New Zealand and Bangladesh meet again in pool play in Cardiff on June 9.
‘‘They’re quite separate [tournaments]. We’ve used a lot of different players which has been great for our development and also guys in the squad who haven’t had many playing opportunities have got plenty,’’ Hesson said.
‘‘Everybody is confident heading into Champions Trophy and we’ve also used guys in different roles. Depending on the balance we go with, we’ve been able to give guys opportunities.’’
Just six of the New Zealand XI who lost to Bangladesh will likely feature in their tournament open- er against Australia on Friday week. Williamson, Guptill, Boult, de Grandhomme and one of Adam Milne, Southee or McClenaghan are safe bets to come in.
From the Ireland squad Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Henry Nicholls, Colin Munro and Scott Kuggeleijn will be joined by IPL returnee Lockie Ferguson at a camp in Northampton under New Zealand Cricket’s high performance coach Bob Carter. Hamish Bennett, Seth Rance and George Worker depart, all after tidy displays in the black kit.
Now for the selection headaches.
Hesson and Williamson’s first meeting will discuss how they approach the warmup games against India, then Sri Lanka on Tuesday night at Edgbaston where they meet Australia three days later.
Tight calls involve the wicketkeeper/opening batsman to partner Guptill, the pace bowling allrounder slots and who joins Boult as the other fast bowler if they play both spinners Mitchell Santner and Jeetan Patel which looks highly likely.