Cobham Oval poised to get ODI warm-up

Bangladesh are heading for Whangarei's Cobham Oval. In this shot from last year's ICC Cricket World Cup, wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim celebrates after Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor gets out lbw. Photo / NZME

Whangarei will be getting yet another taste of international cricket.

Cobham Oval is hosting a warm-up match between Bangladesh and a New Zealand Invitational side preceding their one-day series against the Black Caps.

This follows last week's announcement of a One-Day International between the Black Caps and the West Indies in late 2017.

Northland Cricket Association chairman Paul Tomich said it was strongly believed the match would be a one-dayer.

"It is yet to be confirmed, but it will be by New Zealand Cricket in the coming weeks," he said.

Bangladesh have made great strides under the leadership of captain Mashrafe Mortaza and star allrounder Shakib al Hasan, reaching the quarter-finals of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

The date of the ODI between the Black Caps and the West Indies is yet to be set, but it is part of the Black Caps' 2017/18 home schedule.

Tomich said this was an exciting time for Northland Cricket.

"We are thrilled to have the West Indies here before Christmas next year. It will be great to have a full-blown international side with considerable success in the shorter formats of the game."

He said getting the game was a testament to the hard work they did with the District Council and the Events team.

The West Indies recently won the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in India.

Players to watch out for include Andre Russell, a hard-hitting allrounder who stars for IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders.

The squad is led by 23-year-old captain Jason Holder, and includes IPL stars Marlon Samuels, Sunil Narine and Carlos Braithwaite, who led the West Indies to the World Twenty20 title by hitting four consecutive sixes off England allrounder Ben Stokes in the final.

Tomich said getting the two fixtures was a great reward for sponsors of Northland Cricket.

"We have a number of key sponsors and it is a great reward for them to get to see international teams play here," he said.

Black Cap spearhead Tim Southee will potentially have the opportunity to play in front of his home crowd.