KEY POINTS:
It's a vastly different Matthew Bell who will revive his test career at University Oval today.
The Wellington opener is 30, it's six years since his last test and, using the modern terminology, his head is in the ideal space.
And the national selectors, often bagged for logic-defying
decisions, deserve a pat on the back for picking a bloke when in what he admits is "the best form of my life".
Bell said he was far more relaxed now than during stage one of his test career, which ended against Australia at Hobart in 2001. His thinking is simpler, less technical and more about what works. No more getting bogged down with the intricacies; more about going with what feels right, and always being positive.
"You're always learning and I feel like I know my game better and I'm ready to play top international cricket," Bell said.
"I've got the experience of setbacks and good times to fall back on. I've played a few tests so I'm aware of what pressures lie in front of me and I'm looking to enjoy them."
Bell said he'd never given up hope of getting another chance, although he admitted if he had not been picked this season that might have been the indicator he needed to move on with his life.
He wouldn't trade his test experiences for anything but acknowledged he was more ready now than he was then for what was coming up.
"When you get an opportunity you're never going to say no. I feel a better person for having had that bad experience. I wouldn't really change a thing, but I feel better equipped now."
Bell's form in the last two seasons had to catch the selectors' eyes. He averaged 56.7 for Wellington last season, and is haring along at 103 per innings in this season's State Championship.
His numbers look almost Bradmanesque: 81, 22, 83, 18, 33, 188 not out, 32, 265 - the last being his third double hundred for Wellington, beating the old mark he shared with former New Zealand captain and allround great John Reid.
The selectors have gone for batsmen they believe are capable of batting lengthy periods of time. Bell had put his hand up on that score. This season he's tried to be more aggressive, increase the pressure on the bowlers by putting away the bad balls rather than simply defending, or surviving, at the crease. "It's about staying relaxed and being mentally and physically fresh. I always tended to over-analyse things and overtrain."
The proof is in the numbers: 722 runs in the championship and that's forced Bell to reassess his targets for the season. In itself that's a huge positive for a top order batsman.
Bell credits top New Zealand rugby referee Lyndon Bray for helping with the mental side of his game. Bray runs a programme aimed at keeping the focus simple and sharp.
"We just discuss things over a few cups of coffee and he struck the right chord. He's got a nice, simple approach."
The other person Bell has benefited from is Wellington assistant coach Christie van Dyk, husband of netball queen Irene van Dyk. Their work over the last two years is about basic drills and honing skills. The pair have put together a DVD for cricket coaches giving fresh ideas to brighten up training routines.
Australian opener Matthew Hayden and former England captain Graham Gooch are prime examples of players who overcame stuttering starts to become hugely successful test batsmen.
Not to suggest Bell is in their class, but it's a thought that appeals to him.
"It's exciting because as a batter you can have an extended career, play till you're 35-36 if you look after yourself and your form warrants selection. I'd love to be playing the next four, five or six years. I haven't really achieved what I wanted to."
The idea of a full hand of 11 tests in this year appeals. He's got first dibs with the easiest of those challenges, against Bangladesh. His job now is to grab it and enjoy the ride.
"Good things take time. It's been a slow process but things are gelling quite nicely and it's a real opportunity for me now if I get it right against Bangladesh.
"In terms of head space and the way I'm hitting the ball everything is going really well. I'm just looking forward to showcasing my skills and showing everyone how good I am."
Matthew Bell
Age: 30
Tests: 13
Runs: 484
Average: 22.0
Centuries: 1
Fifties: 2
First class: 145 games, 8661 runs at 37.33, 20 centuries, 49 fifties
School of hard knocks
There would have been some party in Chittagong three years ago. In January, 2005, Bangladesh won their first, and so far only, test, by 226 runs over Zimbabwe.
Out of 49 tests since Bangladesh's debut in November 2000 when India beat them by nine wickets at Dhaka, 43 have been lost, and six drawn.
They go into their 50th against New Zealand at University Oval today.
The key man in that sole win was Bangladesh's most-capped international, and highest run scorer, Habibul Bashar, who arrived in New Zealand for the test series, having missed the 3-0 ODI series loss.
Bashar hit 94 and 55 in Bangladesh's highest test total 488, and left arm spinner Emanul Haque, also on the plane to Dunedin this week, bagged six for 45 to seal an historic occasion.
Bashar has played 47 of his country's tests and hit 2953 runs at 32.09. He's got three of Bangladesh's 13 test centuries, a mark eclipsed only by captain Mohammad Ashraful's four, including his country's test best 158 not out against India at Chittagong in December 2004.
However the lows far outweigh the highs thus far.
Lowest total? 62 against Sri Lanka last year, one of eight below three figures.
Worst defeat? There's plenty of candidates but how about an innings and 310 runs, by the West Indies at Dhaka in December 2002?
West Indies speedster Jermaine Lawson produced one of test cricket's more remarkable analyses - 6.5-4-3-6 - which looks like a throwback to the Victorian era and the Australian demon bowler, FR Spofforth, twirly moustaches, seriously dodgy pitches and WG Grace.
Things will get better, but the green, seaming pitches they'll encounter in the next two weeks aren't their cup of Darjeeling. South Africa are in Bangladesh next month.
As their Australian coach Jamie Siddons remarked this week, there's no such thing as a soft series for the newest test nation right now. The growing up is being done on the test field, not the training ground, and the lessons can be harsh.
