As they get ready to play the hosts in a two-Test series, New Zealand coach Luke Ronchi stated on Sunday that his team’s experience in the Cricket World Cup in India would help put a stop to their losing streak in Bangladesh.
This year, New Zealand has spent most of its time in Asia. They began the year with series in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh in a variety of forms, then in October and November, they participated in the World Cup in India.
The tournament hosts, India, defeated the New Zealanders in the semifinal despite their impressive performance.
Prior to Tuesday’s game at Sylhet, Ronchi told reporters, “It’s definitely going to help us.”
“I think if we’d come straight from green wickets in New Zealand to the Bangladesh wickets, it’s a big change,” he stated.
However, most of the people in our group had been in India. They attended the FIFA World Cup.
“They have been practising on a variety of surfaces, including slower and twisting ones. Thus, perhaps, that will aid us in this Test series.”
New Zealand ended their 15-year wait to win a series in Bangladesh by defeating the locals 2-0 in the three-match one-day international series before leaving for India.
But since their 2008 victory in Chittagong by three wickets, the Kiwis have failed to win a Test match in Bangladesh.
Two of their subsequent three Tests, which included a 2013 series, concluded in draws.
For the forthcoming series, the visitors, who only used one spinner in 2013, selected a side that prioritises spin.
This time, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra, two spin all-rounders, are joined by Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel alongside Ish Sodhi.
Ronchi thought both sides’ spinners would be very important.
“The quality of spin and pace in both sides is going to be really high,” he stated.
For the duration of the series, Bangladesh will be without regular skipper and seasoned spinner Shakib Al Hasan, while pacers Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain will be sidelined by injuries.
Due to an injury and a family vacation, respectively, opening batsman Liton Das and veteran batsman Tamim Iqbal are also unavailable for the series.
Coach Chandika Hathurusingha remarked, “It’s difficult to lose that much experience from any team, especially for Bangladesh.”
However, he claimed that the absences gave other players an opportunity to be tested.
“I think it’s exciting, and it’s an opportunity for some of the youngsters to make their name,” he stated.
From December 6–10, Dhaka will host the second Test of the series.