Bangladesh vs New Zealand preview

Posted on | April 2, 2007 | No Comments

New Zealand will look to keep their winning record intact when they play Bangladesh in their second super eight game in the World Cup in Antigua.

The Kiwis suffered a loss in the pre tournament warm up games to Bangladesh, but after that, they have not looked back. Wins over England, Kenya and Canada saw them top Group C and carry two points into the super eight. A convincing win over the West Indies puts them in second spot in the super eight table, behind northern neighbours Australia. Although Lou Vincent and Ross Taylor are unavailable, the form of Scott Styris and Jacob Oram, their two all rounders has been brilliant to say the least. They have done their job very well, both with bat and ball. Shane Bond has been a threat to batsmen all throughout the tournament, and the Bangladeshis are unlikely to be exceptions to the rule. Mark Gillespie has been recovering well, and may figure in the game. If he does play, Michael Mason is expected to make way for him.

The Bangladeshis were surprise qualifiers from Group B, but Dav Whatmore will know that springing an upset at the super eight stage will be more difficult. They were thrashed by Australia in their rain curtailed 22 over a side game in the first of their super eight games, and they can expect no let up from Australia’s transtasman rivals, New Zealand. The batting did not really fire in the game against Australia- they were 37/4 at one stage. The injury to Tapash Baisya means a recall for Syed Rasel. The trio of Saqibul Hassan, Abdur Razak and Mohammad Rafique will have to play a key role in the middle overs, as they did in the game against India.

The Kiwis will be keen to avenge their warm up defeat, and given the way they are playing, they are more than capable of doing that. Expect the Kiwis to win unless something really weird creeps into their game. Styris, Oram, Bond and Vettori the men to watch out for..

Related posts:

1. New Zealand vs West Indies preview
2. Australia vs New Zealand preview
3. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka preview
4. Kenya vs New Zealand preview
5. South Africa vs New Zealand

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