New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test preview, likely XIs: New Zealand eye 2-0, but rain threatens intervention

It’s all lined-up near-perfectly for New Zealand to seal another home series win. They put in an all-round performance in Hamilton to win the first Test with an innings to spare, and in the second Test, the idea will be to wrap up proceedings as soon as possible.

All departments have been clicking in tandem for the home side. In Hamilton, the batsmen put up a record 715/6 and the bowlers took 20 wickets. New Zealand are a solid, well-oiled unit at home, and this Bangladesh side, depleted by injuries and possessing an inexperienced attack, look unsuited to tackling them.

The visitors did have some positives. Tamim Iqbal’s 200 runs in the Tests buoy well – if they can provide him some support at the top, they might yet be able to put up decent totals. Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah’s second-innings centuries are also cause for hope.

It’s the bowling, however, that really needs to improve. Their attack was ripped to shreds by different batsmen, and the fact that the usually-solid Mehidy Hasan Miraz conceded the most expensive Test figures in Bangladesh’s history – 2/246 – doesn’t bode well for the visitors.

Everything points to New Zealand.

Head to head

New Zealand have won 11 of the 14 Tests they’ve ever played against Bangladesh. They haven’t ever been defeated in a Test by Bangladesh, and the three draws all happened in Bangladesh. Simply put, New Zealand have won every single Test they have played against Bangladesh at home.

If Bangladesh want to arrest that poor record, the sooner the better. But if history and recent form are anything to go by, their chances are low.

Venue details

On the whole, New Zealand have a poor record at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. In 62 Tests they’ve played there over the years, they have won just 18 and lost 20.

That poor form doesn’t extend to matches against Bangladesh, though: they’ve won the three Tests between them in Wellington, with the first two being innings victories.

The last time they clashed here, New Zealand won by 7 wickets, although Bangladesh did post 595/8 – a Shakib Al Hasan double-century and a Mushfiqur Rahim century did it for them, then, but both players are injured now.

There is a threat of rain ruining the match, though. Rain is forecast every day of the coming week, and perhaps, that is what will offer Bangladesh respite.

Players to watch

Tom Latham (New Zealand): It was at Wellington where Tom Latham recently scored his career-best 264* against Sri Lanka. It set the ball rolling for a fine home summer for the opener – he’s scored two more daddy hundreds since then – and given how much he loves occupying the crease, more of the same is expected against this inexperienced Bangladesh attack.

Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh): The Bangladesh opener was the one big positive for the visitors in Hamilton. He is experienced, he can take the game away from the opposition, and there’s plenty of class in his batting as well. New Zealand will want his wicket early.

Likely XIs:

New Zealand: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Liton Das (wk), Soumya Sarkar, Khaled Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Ebadat Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman.

Prediction

New Zealand to win comfortably again, rain permitting.