[CRK] New Zealand and Bangladesh Brace for Chattogram Batting Surge

[CRK]

Big picture: A bat-off could decide the winner

With the series at 1-1, the good news for both Bangladesh and New Zealand is the change of city for the third ODI. Chattogram offers a more batting-friendly surface than Dhaka, where, particularly the New Zealand batters found it challenging to push the scoring rate. Bangladesh took 35.3 overs to chase down 199 runs.

Despite showing good flow in the second ODI, Bangladesh’s batting remains an overall concern. They usually enjoy the Chattogram surface, though. Bangladesh have won three of their last four matches there, all of them successful chases. New Zealand, who have looked restricted in their scoring on tour so far, should also enjoy the true pace and bounce expected to be on offer. The experienced trio of Henry Nicholls, Will Young and captain Tom Latham will look to step up at a venue where New Zealand have only ever played a single ODI, in 2008.

Form guide

Bangladesh WLWLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand LWWWL

Both teams have showed their vulnerability and fighting ability in the two matches so far. The third game therefore is geared to be an even contest, with the winner likely to be decided by the side with a better batting performance, particularly since the venue is Chattogram.

In the spotlight: Nahid Rana & Nick Kelly

Nahid Rana is getting better with every series for Bangladesh. His 5 for 32 on Monday, when he picked up wickets in all three phases of the innings, was a sign of his growth. The main concern for the Black Caps was how he beat many of their batters with pace and bounce. The batting-friendly Chattogram surface will be a challenge, but Rana’s discipline with his line and length and his good form should help him.

Nick Kelly showed patience to eke out a solid 86 in the second ODI when wickets were falling at the other end. Kelly possesses a strong off-side game though Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das kept saying to his bowlers that he has trouble working the ball on the on-side. There were moments when he did miss out on deliveries pitched on middle and leg. Kelly would feel a little more confident now that he has a good score under his belt.

Team news: NZ could mull batting options

Though they have added Tanzim Hasan to the squad, Bangladesh could go with the same XI even in Chattogram’s changed conditions,

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Saif Hassan, 2 Tanzid Hasan, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 5 Towhid Hridoy, 6 Litton Das (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Shoriful Islam, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Nahid Rana

Tim Robinson’s addition to the team sheet in the second ODI suggests that he could be a chance in the third ODI too. Adithya Ashok, Dane Cleaver and Ben Lister are the others on the New Zealand bench.

New Zealand (probable): 1 Henry Nicholls, 2 Nick Kelly, 3 Will Young, 4 Dean Foxcroft, 5 Tom Latham (capt & wk), 6 Muhammad Abbas, 7 Josh Clarkson, 8 Nathan Smith, 9 Blair Tickner, 10 Will O’Rourke, 11 Jayden Lennox

Chattogram will have little for the spinners, so it will be a huge challenge for Jayden Lennox to mind the spin department on his own. Dean Foxcroft offers a part-time option but maybe there’s a case for young legspinner Adithya Ashok to enter the playing XI. Similarly, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain will need to look after their accuracy and discipline. Bangladesh will likely continue with three fast bowlers.

Pitch and conditions: Chasers do better in Chattogram

Sides batting first have lost the last four ODIs in Chattogram, regardless of the timing of the matches. There’s a 25 per cent chance of rain on Thursday morning.

Stats and trivia: Chattogram no friend of fast bowling

• Bangladesh didn’t concede a six in consecutive ODIs for the first time since 2006. New Zealand meanwhile have gone two innings without hitting a six for the first time since 2009.
• Najmul Hossain Shanto scored a fifty after 13 innings, having last made a half-century in February last year.
• A fast bowler has never taken a five-wicket haul in the 41 ODIs played in the two Chattogram stadiums.