Cricket: Bangladesh could provide a surprise in ODI series

Memo New Zealand: be sure to keep the guard up and the foot down when the ODI series starts against Bangladesh in Napier today.

The tourists might be far from the biggest fish in the international cricket ocean, but when it comes to the 50-over game they're no slouches.

Bangladesh can point to ODI wins over every test nation apart from England and even if they are rare as opposed to plentiful, they at least suggest progress is being made.

And with that comes a dose of self-belief. But the early signs are that they need all their better players to come good at the same time.

Their one win in 14 games against New Zealand was at Dhaka in October 2008.

Indeed it was achieved with some ease, by seven wickets with almost five overs up their sleeve.

In their recent tri-series against India and Sri Lanka - batting first each time - Bangladesh put up totals of 260, 292 for six, 249 and 247 for six.

You do wonder how, having witnessed their capitulation for just 78 in Wednesday's Twenty20 international at Hamilton.

However captain Shakib al Hasan has the answer.

"We played our last Twenty20 six months ago. We need to play more games," he said.

"The boys are a bit down, but I believe we will come back strongly."

Shakib, whose numbers in recent times make clear that he's a top allround performer for his country, said his team are confident they can pick up their game for the three-match series.

"I think we are going in the right direction in one-dayers, but I am not sure about Twenty20."

While they search for some inspiration, New Zealand captain Dan Vettori simply wants standards to be kept high and a positive philosophy to take hold.

Australia are around the corner, not to mention the world Twenty20 in May, and World Cup early next year.

Goals are being set, and individual focus needs to be sharp during the current tour.

"If we want to win [those tournaments] you have to post some pretty big scores," Vettori said. "Batsmen have to get their heads round that and the bowlers have to realise how they're going to restrict teams.

"And we've got to find out about players the whole time, so this series is important, as well as leading up to the Aussie series."

There are several points of interest for New Zealand today.

Chief among them will be whether opener Peter Ingram can kick on from a useful cameo on Wednesday night in his debut; how well Neil Broom takes his chance with an anticipated promotion to No 5 in the batting order; and what left-armer Andy McKay brings to the bowling attack.

Wellington seamer McKay is uncapped, and his selection raised eyebrows.

"He's been very impressive in the nets and when he gets his opportunity he'll surprise a few people," New Zealand bowling coach Shane Jurgensen said yesterday.

"He's got a little bit of extra pace that sneaks up on you."

NZ v BANGLADESH

* McLean Park, Napier, 2.30pm today
*Live SS1

NEW ZEALAND: (from) Dan Vettori (c), Brendon McCullum, Peter Ingram, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, Jacob Oram, James Franklin, Daryl Tuffey, Tim Southee, Ian Butler, Andy McKay.

BANGLADESH: (from)Shakib al Hasan (c), Imrul Kayes, Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed, Raqibul Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Abdur Razzak, Naeem Islam, Shahadat Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam.