Big image: New cycle brings new hope
The first Test match after the World Cup in India is going down in Sylhet, which geographically, is just not one million miles away, however definitely when it comes to environment, it’s one other world. New Zealand are taking part in their first Test in eight months, Bangladesh in 5 months. It is the kick-off level for the World Test Championship for each groups, so on the very least, factors are at stake.
New Zealand have been the defending champions within the final cycle, however they have been nowhere close to shut to creating the ultimate. That may simply have prompted them to be that little bit extra switched on, leading to bringing their finest staff on this tour after sending a second-string aspect for the ODIs that have been performed right here in September. Everything was totally different then.
Kane Williamson will lead the batting unit alongside Tom Latham, Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls within the high 4. Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra, having totalled 5 centuries between them within the World Cup, will likely be brimming with confidence.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Zakir Hasan are the possible openers, however quite a bit will rely upon captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim. Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz will carry the inexperienced bowling assault. The image ain’t fairly for Bangladesh, however Sylhet might present the kind of exit they need from the discuss concerning the World Cup, which does not appear to finish in Bangladesh.
Form information
Bangladesh WWLLL (final 5 Tests, most up-to-date first)
New Zealand WWWLD
In the highlight: Mominul Haque and Rachin Ravindra
Team news: Extra spinners in each XIs
Nurul Hasan will take Litton’s place behind the stumps, whereas Khaled Ahmed is prone to take Taskin’s spot within the bowling unit. Nayeem Hasan is prone to be the third spinner in the event that they select a five-man assault.
Bangladesh (possible): 1 Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 2 Zakir Hasan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Nurul Hasan (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Nayeem Hasan 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Khaled Ahmed
New Zealand have a spin puzzle to unravel. Ravindra is prone to bat within the high six after a stellar World Cup marketing campaign, however there might be a toss-up between Ajaz, Santner and Sodhi for 2 positions.
New Zealand (possible): 1 Tom Latham, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Henry Nicholls, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Rachin Ravindra, 7 Tom Blundell (wk), 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee (capt), 10 Ajaz Patel/Ish Sodhi, 11 Neil Wagner
Pitch and circumstances: Sylhet is sweet for batting
Stats and trivia
- Sylhet is internet hosting solely its second Test match. The first match was in 2018 when Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh.
- New Zealand are taking part in Tests in Bangladesh after precisely ten years. Bangladesh, in the meantime, have toured New Zealand in 2017, 2019 and 2022 to play six Tests in whole.
- Shanto has turn out to be Bangladesh’s captain inside 5 years of creating his Test debut. That’s a faster climb to management than Mushfiqur and Mominul, each of whom turned captains six years after their respective Test debuts.
Quotes
“Dusting off the whites and back together as a Test group. We achieved some pretty cool things in the backend of last summer. It has been a heavy diet of white-ball cricket so the guys are excited to be back in Test cricket. Start of the World Test Championship cycle is exciting.”
New Zealand captain Tim Southee cannot wait to get again to work
“I personally believe I can lead the team in all formats. It is easier for anyone to plan as a long-term captain. Whoever comes through as the next captain, he will have a better time if he gets a longer rope.”
Najmul Hossain Shanto on taking up Bangladesh’s Test captain for this sequence.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com