New Zealand set to go for the jugular

Wellington – New Zealand have pledged a win-at-all-costs approach to the second Test against Bangladesh, starting in Wellington today, as they look to wrap up the series with a game to spare.

The wicket is green and tailor-made for the early seamers, with New Zealand promising to continue with their short-ball tactic when it flattens out.

“We’re looking to win the Test match in whatever way possible. Whatever gives us the best chance that is what we will do,” New Zealand opener Tom Latham (left) said yesterday.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, faced further injury concerns to an already fragile batting line-up with Tamim Iqbal under a cloud and Mushfiqur Rahim unlikely to be fit.

Captain Mahmudullah described Tamim’s issue as “a slight niggle” and accepted that “injury is part of the game”.

Mahmudullah indicated Bangladesh would make changes given the colour of the wicket and how expensive spinner Mehidy Hasan proved in the first Test.

In the Wellington Test two years ago, Bangladesh surprised after being sent into bat with a first innings of 595/8 declared, only to eventually lose by seven wickets.

Latham was a century-maker in that match, is enjoying another purple home patch with a Test average of more than 200 from three centuries, including an unbeaten 264 in the rain-affected Wellington Test against Sri Lanka. –