Cricket: Vettori looks for improved batting

New Zealand cricket captain Dan Vettori is looking to his batsmen to make the most of a good start as they look to bounce back from two one-day international losses to Bangladesh.

The Black Caps, who need to win the next two matches to draw the five-match series, were soundly beaten by seven wickets in the third ODI at Dhaka yesterday after scoring just 173 runs batting first.

Ross Taylor finished the innings on 62 not out but he could not find anyone to support him as the team got tied down by left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo.

Three others - BJ Watling, Jesse Ryder and Kyle Mills - got over 20 but none was able to stay with Taylor for long enough.

"I think it's similar to the first game in that we lost wickets at crucial times," Vettori said.

"From being 50 for 1 and having a good partnership to losing three for 12 and then another clump of wickets, it's always going to hurt you, and the Bangladesh spinners bowled exceptionally well and just kept up the pressure on us.

"To only score 170 wasn't enough on that wicket and losing those wickets was crucial."

Vettori said the Black Caps hadn't underestimated Bangladesh, who had rarely beaten New Zealand prior to this series.

"We always knew it was going to be a tough test coming over here and playing without having any practice matches, coming up against a Bangladesh team that's good in their own conditions," he said.

"Whilst we don't want to be in this situation we respect how good Bangladesh are."

Bangladesh, who had won just one of their 17 one-day internationals against New Zealand before this series, were given a winning foundation as Shahriar Nafees and Imrul Keyes put on 127 for the opening wicket in 24.2 overs.

Kayes hit four boundaries in an 83-ball 50, his sixth half-century in one-day internationals, before becoming offspinner Nathan McCullum's second victim of the innings.

Taylor gathered his score off 72 balls with the help of four sixes, including two in an over from seamer Rubel Hossain.

He added 72 runs for the eighth wicket with Kyle Mills (26) after the tourists were reeling at 101-7. Mills smashed two successive sixes off spinner Shakib in his 28-ball knock.

Opener Ryder (33) and Watling (20) put on 55 for the second wicket before New Zealand struggled against spin in the middle overs.

Ryder hit two sixes and one four in his 42-ball knock, while Watling struck two boundaries in his 41-ball innings.

"We are disappointed with the batting. Ryder and Watling set us up, but from then on we were under pressure," Vettori said.

"The spinners for Bangladesh bowled very well and we have to adjust quickly. We have to post a decent score in the next game to put some pressure on them."

Spinners Mohammad Mahmudullah and Shakib grabbed two wickets apiece, while left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak took one wicket.

The fourth one-day international is on Thursday.

The second match of the series was washed out due to rain last Friday.

- NZPA