Cricket: Vettori on guard against complacency

New Zealand scored an 3-0 sweep when Bangladesh toured in February. Photo / Getty Images

Skipper Daniel Vettori has warned against complacency as the Black Caps headed to Bangladesh today for a five-match one-day cricket series that has next year's World Cup as backdrop.

New Zealand scored an easy 3-0 sweep when the two sides met in New Zealand in February, but Vettori said the Tigers would be a "completely different" proposition on the own soil.

He pointed to the limited-overs series that Bangladesh hosted on their return home against England.

While Bangladesh again went down 3-0, "they pushed them hard the whole series", he said.

"If we go over there expecting to walk over them like we did here, we'll be in for a bit of fright.

"But if we respect them and hopefully play to our potential, then we should beat them."

While victory was the primary aim for the series, which begins next Tuesday, the secondary target was to get players familiar with conditions in Bangladesh, which will co-host the World Cup next February and March.

Two of the quarterfinals will be staged at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, where all five matches of the upcoming series will take place.

"We're going to play games over there during the World Cup and probably important games," Vettori said.

"We want guys to feel pretty familiar, so when we turn up there on a short stay, World Cup time, they will know what to expect."

The tour marks the return to the Black Caps of Vettori, Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder, who all missed the tri-nations tournament in Sri Lanka in July in which India also featured.

Vettori and McCullum took time off for family reasons, while Ryder was out with an elbow injury.

Overall, the 15-man squad selected for Bangladesh has a greenish tinge to it.

There is one new cap in fast bowler Hamish Bennett, while six other players have each played fewer than 10 one-day internationals.

Vettori admitted that Bennett's selection was a bit of a gamble, but it was also a case of giving him the opportunity to show how he could perform at that level.

He said the 23-year-old Cantabrian had the ability to bowl in the mid-140kmh range, which was something the Blacks Caps didn't always have at their disposal.

"Andy McKay has really stepped up as well, so we are trying to produce a group of guys who can bowl a bit quicker and see if they can succeed in sub-continent conditions looking towards the World Cup."

Vettori said he felt refreshed after his break, which coincided with the birth of his second child.

"It's the longest time in my career that I've had away from cricket and it's been nice to be at home with my family and get reacquainted with everyone," he said

"I feel great and I'm looking forward to playing cricket again."

The tour begins with two matches against the Bangladesh Cricket Board 11 in Dhaka on Friday and Sunday.

The BCB 11 is skippered by top order batsman Mohammad Ashraful, a former national skipper who was left out of the ODI squad.

- NZPA