Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori hopes the team's new faces will help turn around the batting slump of recent months. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today
A strong performance first and the result second. That is the attitude of the Black Caps ahead of the first cricket test against Bangladesh starting in Dunedin this morning.
Captain Daniel Vettori says he is hoping the University Oval wicket will provide an ideal venue for his team
to continue their domination of the Tigers as they sharpen up for England, who tour in February and March.
Vettori says this series is a big part of their preparation for England, with most people likely to judge them on their performance and not the result.
Batting has been the Black Caps major stumbling block in recent months, with the top order failing to fire on the tour to South Africa and Australia in November and December.
However, Vettori is backing the new faces in his side to turn the team's batting slump around. He says the batting has been a concern but the players who have come into the team have good form behind them.
Meanwhile the expectations of Bangladesh have changed, with three players added to the team for the tests.
Coach Jamie Siddons says they needed guys who have been there and done that. He says they wanted more experience for the tests.
Play is set to start this morning at 11 o'clock.
- NEWSTALK ZB
