Black Caps Save Face in First Test Cricket Against Bangladesh

The New Zealand Black Caps saved face in the first test of their series against Bangladesh in Bangladesh. After a weak batting effort in their first innings, the Black Caps compiled their highest total in a 4th innings in a test on foreign soil in a 343-test history. Full scorecard at cricinfo.com

Needing 317 to win, opener Aaron Redmond (79), Daniel Vettori (76) and Daniel Flynn (49) provided the necessary backbone to position Oram and Mills to add the final few runs to complete the victory.

Vettori provided a stable and experienced presence for his younger batsmen in the middle after he came in as nightwatchman near the close of the 4th day. This settled the innings and turned the innings in New Zealand's favour as the Vettori and Flynn partnership consolidated then chipped away at the run total.

Given the level of youth and inexperience in the Caps' batting line up, more thought should be given to Vettori moving up the batting line-up to play the kind of role he played in this test that would likely not only improve game results but also bring on the younger batsmen's development at a faster pace.

Black Caps Level Cricket ODI series with Bangladesh

Jacob Oram dispatches a ball down the leg side. Cricinfo, AFP.

Saving some face after a trouncing by Bangladesh in the first game of their ODI (One Day International) cricket series, New Zealand's Black Caps came back with a win in the second match in Mirpur. New Zealand 212/9 in 50 overs, Bangladesh all out for 137 in 42.4 overs. Full scoreboard and report here.

Only solid middle order batting by Jacob Oram and tighter bowling by the Black Caps (Kyle Mills 3/13 off 6.4 overs) prevented another embarrassing day for New Zealand as the top order batting collapsed once again. Top order collapses may be the order of the day for some time yet as new, inexperienced blood becomes steeled in batting at the international level, though on this occasion it was the more experienced hands that failed to get started.

Mills knocked over the first two wickets in the Bangladesh innings which meant the rest of the order was under much more pressure than in the first ODI, resulting in the innings petering out at 137.

Glenn Turner, NZ selector & former test player, has it right when he calls for a more professional approach to New Zealand cricket (interview here). New Zealand has a thin player base to draw from and must compete to keep its best players from moving abroad, but pride in workmanship is a vital element in playing professional cricket, a point that seems to have been lost on many Black Caps in recent years who have been content to collect their pay cheques without the prerequisite productivity.