New Zealand target another uncomplicated win

Monday, February 8
Start time 12.00 (23.00 GMT)

Big Picture

Bangladesh cricket fans looking for good news over the past week have had to follow the South Asian Games, where their Under-21 team won gold in a tournament also containing the likes of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The senior team in New Zealand, though, has been abject in the two matches so far and were thrashed in the only Twenty20 and the first ODI in Napier.

For New Zealand, Monday's match presents a chance to complete a quick series victory. With several of their key players injured, the contests against Bangladesh are a good opportunity to test their bench strength, and Daniel Vettori will be satisfied with the performance of both the players they blooded in Napier - Peter Ingram making a steady 69 and Andy McKay nipping out two top-order batsmen. Perhaps the biggest gain from that victory was Jacob Oram showing that he had not lost his lethal hitting ability, something which has not been on view too often of late.

The only redeeming features for Bangladesh were a robust opening stand between Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes, and young Shaiful Islam's performance - four wickets, including giving away only four runs in a double-wicket over in the middle of Oram's blitzkreig. However, unless the Bangladesh middle order gets its act together, their hunt for a maiden victory in any format in New Zealand is likely to be extended.

Form guide (most recent first)

New Zealand WWWLL
Bangladesh LLLLL

Watch out for

At 25, Ross Taylor is already New Zealand's most important batsman in the middle order. He was in stunning form in the domestic Twenty20 tournament in January, leading the run-charts and rounding it off with a 30-ball 80 to hand Central Districts the title. Bangladesh have already had a taste of how dangerous he can be when he slammed a couple of sixes on his way to a quick 51 in the first ODI.

Tamim Iqbal is becoming an increasingly influential batsman for Bangladesh. A naturally aggressive player, he has worked hard on tempering his attacking stroke play. Another aspect of his batting that has improved is the way he deal with spinners, using an effective sweep shot to blunt them. With Mohammad Ashraful and Shakib Al Hasan not in the greatest of touch, Tamim has added responsibility at the top of the order.

Team news

The only decision for New Zealand is whether they want to bring in Ian Butler for one of the three quick bowlers who played on Friday. If they do, Tim Southee could be the one who sits out.

New Zealand: (probable) 1 Brendon McCullum (wk), 2 Peter Ingram, 3 Martin Guptill, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 James Franklin, 6 Neil Broom, 7 Jacob Oram, 8 Daniel Vettori, 9 Tim Southee/Ian Butler, 10 Daryl Tuffey, 11 Andy McKay.

Bangladesh have named their playing XI. Mohammad Ashraful, despite a lean run, keeps his place but Raqibul Hasan has been dropped for Aftab Ahmed. Rubel Hossain has earned a starting spot ahead of Nazmul Hossain.

Bangladesh: 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Mohammad Ashraful, 4 Aftab Ahmed, 5 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 8 Naeem Islam, 9 Shahadat Hossain, 10 Shafiul Islam, 11 Rubel Hossain.

Quotes

"Oram has been a bit frustrated with results but [on Friday] we saw a guy who, if we can get him back to where he was 12-18 months ago, is going to be a big help to this side."
Mark Greatbatch, New Zealand coach, emphasises what an important player Jacob Oram can be to the one-day outfit.