Hagley Park in Christchurch is set to be bathed in sunshine for the opening one-day international between New Zealand and Bangladesh on Boxing Day. The rebuilt venue is a glorious sight on a summer’s day and the perfect place to celebrate the start of a long Bangladesh tour and the holiday season.
We preview the opening one-day international, the first of three matches between the two countries in Christchurch this summer, below:
The Black Caps didn’t have it all their own way in the 2015 World Cup with the men in the pool stages. Bangladesh made 288 batting first in Hamilton but was overrun by Martin Guptil, the tournament’s leading run scorer as New Zealand registered a win by three wickets. New Zealand will field a vastly different side to the team that made the World Cup final, meaning the Bangladesh are a real chance to get an upset or two in this series.
New Zealand (probable)
1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Neil Broom, 5 Colin Munro, 6 Luke Ronchi (wk), 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent Boult
Matt Henry and James Neesham may not find a place if New Zealand decides to go with an attack similar to the one they employed against Australia in Melbourne. Neil Broom is likely to take Henry Nicholls’ place at No. 4, and Luke Ronchi will certainly be replacing BJ Watling behind the stumps.
Bangladesh (probable)
1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Sabbir Rahman, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Mosaddek Hossain, 8 Tanbir Hayder/Mehedi Hasan, 9 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Taskin Ahmed
Mustafizur proved his match fitness during Bangladesh’s warm-up game in Whangerei, so if the team management is confident that he can manage himself on the field, it will be a straight swap for the injured Shafiul Islam from Bangladesh’s last ODI in October. Nasir Hossain isn’t in the ODI squad too, so a call between the uncapped Mehedi Hasan and Tanbir Hayder will have to be made.
New Zealand
Martin Guptill is one of the world’s most destructive one-day players and he enters this series – having been pretty consistent at home over the last few years – in destructive form. Guptil lead the run-scoring charts for NZ in their recent Chappell-Hadlee series loss to Australia and will be tasked with setting the tone for NZ in terms of aggression against a clever bowler in the man below.
Bangladesh
After sitting out much of the season, Mustafizur returns to the line-up desperately hoping he can stay fit and build on his efforts in the IPL and for Sussex in the English County Season. The 21-year old proved his fitness in the warm up loss in Whangarei, taking two wickets (although one was a strangle down the leg side) and showing he’ll be a worry for the New Zealand batsman in the Boxing Day opener. Mustafizur was also recently named ICC’s Emerging Player of the Year.
New Zealand – $1.22
Bangladesh – $4.25
*All odds from Unibet.
New Zealand has struggled with Bangladesh in recent years. A 4-0 series loss in 2010 was comical and further losses in 2013 seem to suggest they could cause an upset on this tour. However, the trend is not enough to call Bangladesh a bogey team for New Zealand and we can’t see a shock in the series opener. We expect Bangladesh to take some time to ease themselves into this series. New Zealand to win by 40 runs or 5 wickets.
Guptill to score over 37 is paying a generous $1.87. We can’t see him missing out here.
Shakib is paying the same to score just 24. That looks good money too. $4.15 if he makes it all the way to 50.
And what about a cheeky look at Lockie Ferguson to be the top bowler at $5. His pace could scare a few of the tourist batsman and he could get some cheapies.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
