<
>
Player of the Match
Player of the Match

Bangladesh set for another pace test as NZ look to seal series

Martin Guptill starred in the successful chase Getty Images

Big Picture

New Zealand are likely to put Bangladesh through another trial by high pace as they look to seal the ODI series in the second game in Christchurch.

In the first game, in Napier, Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson shared seven wickets with their pace and accuracy, while many of the Bangladesh batsmen made the job easier for the home side by attempting big shots. Martin Guptill then took care of the modest chase with his 15th ODI hundred. He put together two big partnerships with Henry Nicholls and Ross Taylor as Bangladesh couldn't quite force any mistakes.

During their 103-run stand, Guptill and Nicholls played with the confidence that comes with being faced with a low target, helped along by the knowledge that they had batsmen like Taylor and Kane Williamson to follow. It was, in many ways, the template they would want to follow at the World Cup.

To their credit, the Bangladesh batsmen were brave against the hostile attack, but they weren't quite up to the task either. Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das were out to good deliveries but Mushfiqur Rahim tried to cut one that was too close to his body and Soumya Sarkar threw it away, like he does so often. Mahmudullah looked frustrated at not finding boundaries, while Sabbir Rahman got into a huge tangle while trying to play a sweep, ending prostrate on the floor.

Bangladesh's bowling also needs some attention. Mashrafe Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy Hasan bowled steadily but they missed Shakib Al Hasan's ten solid overs. That can't be helped, of course, but bringing Rubel Hossain in might add a little sparkle to the attack.

Form guide

New Zealand: WLWLL (Last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh: LWLWW

In the spotlight

Trent Boult bowled like the champion he is in Napier, removing Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim - Bangladesh's best batsmen - in a hostile first spell. Boult used his experience and expertise, especially in these conditions, well, and could well make it tough for the visiting batsmen one more time in Christchurch.

During his 90-ball 62 in Napier, Mohammad Mithun certainly looked the part as someone who can tackle high pace. He also showed a willingness to be patient as batsmen at the other end were too trigger-happy.

Team news

There's no need for New Zealand to break their winning combination, but legspinner Todd Astle and veteran paceman Tim Southee are waiting in the wings, and could be tried out.

New Zealand (probable): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Henry Nicholls, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Jimmy Neesham, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Lockie Ferguson, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Trent Boult

Bangladesh are unlikely to tinker with the batting line-up but their bowling needs an enforcer. Rubel is certainly an option, but can they drop Mohammad Saifuddin after he made crucial runs in the first game?

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Liton Das, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mohammad Mithun, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Mehidy Hasan, 10 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Pitch and conditions

Winning sides have had to put up 300-plus scores batting first at Hagley Oval in recent times, and that could well be the case again on what should be a pleasant day in Christchurch.

Stats and trivia

  • Mushfiqur Rahim is set to become the second Bangladesh cricketer to appear in 200 ODIs. Mashrafe Mortaza reached the milestone in December last year.

  • In the first ODI, Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls put together New Zealand's first century opening stand in more than a year.

  • The first ODI was Mortaza's 100th match as Bangladesh captain.

New Zealand 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st45MJ GuptillHM Nicholls
2nd143MJ GuptillKS Williamson
3rd41LRPL TaylorKS Williamson