Cricket: Bangladesh plan assault on Black Caps, Sinclair out of game 1

6.30pm

CHITTAGONG - Despite suffering two heavy losses in the test series Bangladesh hope to provide New Zealand with a good scrap in the three-match one-day series starting here tomorrow.

Khaled Mashud, who captained Bangladesh in the absence of the injured Habibul Bashar in the tests said that one of their problems during those matches was a reluctance of the home side's batsmen to attack the bowling.

He said that would change tomorrow.

"(Daniel) Vettori and (Paul) Wiseman bowled very well in the tests, but I told the boys to play some shots otherwise it's very difficult to upset them.

"When you just block and don't hit them, the bowlers get more comfortable, they get rhythm and their line right. If you start hitting them for six it disrupts them. We have to play some shots."

Mashud, who reverts back to the vice-captaincy with the return of batsman Bashar for the one-dayers, has some form to reinforce his rhetoric, the wicketkeeper scoring 51 in Bangladesh's second innings in the second test.

Some of his teammates transferred Mashud's fighting talk into the match, with lower-order batsmen Mohammad Rafique and Tapash Baisya clubbing the New Zealand attack in a rearguard stand with defeat looming here.

Baisya was particularly impressive, hitting 50 from 36 balls before falling for 66.

But for all the swashbuckling play, too many batsmen threw away their wickets while attempting to heave the ball out of the park.

Mashud said that should not be a problem in the one-dayers.

"The one-day game is very different and we are a team more suited to it. We lost too many wickets early in the test, but that style of attacking play should remain for the one-dayers.

"Besides the tests, most of our players are used to playing limited overs cricket."

Bangladesh have two test-playing scalps in Pakistan and Zimbabwe, but have lost 11 of their past 12 game. The win came against Hong Kong in an Asian Cup match.

In contrast New Zealand have won 10 of their last 12 matches.

Mashud felt the introduction of five new Black Caps into the touring squad for the one-dayers would benefit Bangladesh.

Chris Harris, Chris Cairns, Craig McMillan, Andre Adams and Peter Fulton have replaced five test players in Stephen Fleming, Jacob Oram, Mark Richardson, Paul Wiseman and Chris Martin.

Mashud believed the newly arrived players should have difficulty adjusting to the slow pitch at MA Aziz Stadium.

"I think the one-day game is very different from the tests. They have five new guys in the squad it will be good for us because they have not played on the wickets.

"A few guys have also gone, especially Stephen Fleming which will be a big loss."

Both starting 11s are being named tomorrow morning (NZ time) and New Zealand coach John Bracewell has given no indication what his mix will be.

However, batsman Mathew Sinclair has been ruled out with an ankle injury, which he suffered in the first test. The injury was aggravated at training.

New Zealand team manager Ross Dykes said Sinclair's non-selection was a "precautionary measure" and he could still be considered for the remaining two one-dayers after tomorrow's match.

Dykes said Sinclair's injury was not serious enough to rule him out of the second test.

Sinclair trained with the team today and appeared to be walking without any discomfort.

In his absence Peter Fulton is likely to make his one-day debut partnering opener Nathan Astle while experienced campaigners Cairns and McMillan should also make the cut.

The poser for Bracewell could loom in the glut of allrounders at his disposal, with Andre Adams, Chris Harris and Kyle Mills battling for a spot.

Mills, who has been with the tour party throughout but yet to play a match, would be unlucky not to finally get a start after carrying the drinks for three weeks.

Depending on the pitch conditions, Ian Butler's pace may be blunted, opening a gap for another medium pacer.

The match starts at 9am local time (4pm NZ time).

Teams

New Zealand from: Daniel Vettori (captain), Nathan Astle, Peter Fulton, Scott Styris, Hamish Marshall, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Brendon McCullum, James Franklin, Ian Butler, Andre Adams, Chris Harris, Kyle Mills.

Bangladesh from: Habibul Bashar (captain), Rajin Saleh, Khaled Mashud, Javed Omar, Mohammad Ashraful, Manzaural Rana, Tapash Baisya, Mushfiqur Rahman, Mohammad Rafique, Nafees Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Nazmul Hossain.

- NZPA