Cricket: Bowlers keep edge against a flat rival

Daryl Tuffey celebrates after bowling Shafiul Islam of Bangladesh out on Wednesday night. Photo / Getty Images

Question: how do you keep your standards up when the opposition are providing a less than top quality challenge?

This happened to New Zealand as they only required a mild zephyr to blow away Bangladesh's feeble batting in the opening game of the five-match tour in Hamilton on Wednesday night.

Bangladesh arrived with solid hopes of performing better than two summers ago, but their batting was woeful in the solitary Twenty20 clash, their 78 in 18.3 overs their lowest total in that form of the game, and sixth-lowest ever.

To New Zealand's credit, the bowlers stayed on the job, backed up by some slick, sharp fielding, and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen liked what he saw.

There is an expectation Bangladesh will be sturdier opposition in the three ODIs starting in Napier today. They'll need to be or this tour will fast become a marketing nightmare.

"I was really happy with the way we went, very professional," Jurgensen said yesterday.

"We have some standards we want to set ourselves. We'd talked about them at our meeting (before the game) and I thought we met those in the game."

Jurgensen, a former Queensland and Tasmanian fast-medium bowler, said the key was maintaining those levels, and look to better them with every game.

New Zealand have not played an ODI since November 9 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. That series produced a good 2-1 win.

"We've been focusing on developing in all areas in the 50 overs. Bangladesh have had some good performances recently, scoring good runs against India and Sri Lanka and I'm sure they will come back firing."

In terms of keeping their guard up, Jurgensen admitted it can be hard.

"All we can do is just control what we do, concentrate on each ball.

"In 50 overs, a lot changes, so it gives us a chance to tick the boxes - the start, the middle and the end - and it doesn't really matter who the opposition are. We just make sure we lift ourselves."

Jurgensen has a particularly keen eye on the fast-medium men, given his background. He's liking what he's seen from Daryl Tuffey, who has suddenly become leader of the line.

Not so long ago, the tall Auckland seamer was looking to work his way back into the side.

But with Shane Bond gone from the test game, and sidelined from these ODIs, and Iain O'Brien having retired, Tuffey has become the senior man.

"He brings real attitude, and real confidence and he really backs himself," Jurgensen said. "I've been very impressed with him."

The corollary to that is that, as Jurgensen said, the team management had to ensure they looked after the big man's health.

"It's important he gets his rest periods. He's going to have a pretty heavy workload on his shoulders in all forms of the game.

"He's got a huge opportunity and I believe he will have a very exciting next 12 months."