New Zealand aim to further World Cup preparation

Match Facts

Tuesday, October 5, Mirpur
Start time 9:30am (03.30 GMT)

This tour was originally meant to include Tests. But the teams agreed to focus on preparations for the World Cup next year, and opted to play five ODIs instead. For New Zealand, this marks a continuation of their exposure to subcontinental conditions ahead of the big tournament. They were involved in a tri-series in Sri Lanka in July, play five ODIs this series and five more on the tour of India next month which also includes three Tests. By mid-December, New Zealand will have played each of the World Cup co-hosts on their own turf, an ideal lead-up to the event in February. By then they would hope to have settled on their preferred line-up amid some success, especially after the disappointing Sri Lanka tri-series where they failed to reach the final. Their preparation for this tour, however, has been far from ideal, with rain washing out both their practice games. But their opponents have more reasons for concern.

Bangladesh have pulled off the odd surprise since they became part of the cricketing elite, including a five-run win this year against England, but the 'minnows' tag continues to haunt them. So many years on, Bangladesh's occasional victories only re-ignite the belief - both within the country and from their wellwishers in the cricketing fraternity - that they are destined for bigger things. Then the flame flickers again. They have won only two and lost 17 ODIs this year, and are without the injured Tamim Iqbal as they seek to challenge their opponents more consistently.

Form guide

(five latest completed matches, starting with most recent)
New Zealand: LLWWL
Bangladesh: LWLLW

Jesse Ryder missed the ODIs in Sri Lanka with an elbow injury but drinking problems returned to trouble him in July when he was fined for "intoxicated and rowdy behaviour". He subsequently apologised and will make a comeback on this tour. An explosive opening batsman, Ryder has won many admirers but needs to retain his focus on cricket if he wishes to be part of New Zealand's World Cup plans.

Daniel Vettori singled out Shakib Al Hasan as New Zealand's biggest threat. The two have much in common; both are allrounders, hugely influential to their teams' performance and often have to carry a disproportionate amount of responsibility. Shakib, though, is no longer captain. While there is presumably lesser pressure as a result, Bangladesh's challenge is for the others to step up and ease his burden.

New Zealand are without allrounder Scott Styris, who is out of the series with a back injury. The upcoming ten ODIs, including the tour of India, give them an opportunity to test some new players ahead of the World Cup. They've drafted in Canterbury fast bowler Hamish Bennett in their squad. They can also experiment with BJ Watling at the top of the order while Kane Williamson, who managed just 13 runs in four innings with two ducks in the tri-series in Sri Lanka, will aim for an improvement.

New Zealand (possible): 1 Jesse Ryder, 2 Brendon McCullum (wk), 3 Ross Taylor, 4 Grant Elliott, 5 Kane Williamson, 6 Shannan Stewart, 7 Daniel Vettori (capt), 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Kyle Mills, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Daryl Tuffey

Shahriar Nafees is likely to replace Tamim at the top of the order for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh (possible): 1 Imrul Kayes, 2 Shahriar Nafees, 3 Junaid Siddique, 4 Jahurul Islam, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 9 Shafiul Islam, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Abdur Razzak

"We are going to get the best possible warm-up and any game time in the subcontinent is going to make a huge difference to our chances in the World Cup."
Daniel Vettori