49 matches, 43 losses, 5 draws and 1 win. Not surprisingly this is the overall record of Bangladesh in Test matches. They are also in possession of the dubious record for most consecutive defeats - 21. Three of the five draws and the sole victory have come against fellow minnow Zimbabwe. These figures lend support for people who call the need to deprive them off their Test status.
The first Test match against New Zealand at the University Oval, Dunedin will be their 50th, but there are hardly any signs of improvement. In their recent 3-match Test series against Sri Lanka, they lost all three Tests by huge margins- by an innings and 234 runs in Colombo(SSC), an innings and 90 runs in Colombo(PSS), an innings and 193 runs in Kandy.
Bangladesh's fortunes are no better against New Zealand. They have lost all four matches they played against the Kiwis with big margins. In 8 innings only twice did they cross 200 runs - 205 in Hamilton in 2001 and 262 in Chittagong in 2004. New Zealand needed to bat only once in all of the 4 Tests. The last time they hosted Bangladesh in 2005, they won the 1st Test in Hamilton by an innings and 52 runs and the 2nd Test in Wellington by an innings and 74 runs.
Although the stats suggest there is only one team - New Zealand - to win the 1st Test and the series, the Kiwis are in no mood to relax. Their recent Test record might be better than their immediate opponents, but in general they are at the bottom of the ICC Test ranking table-7th to be precise. After their recent drubbing at the hands of the South Africans, they are determined to improve as a Test team. This series will also give them an opportunity to gain form and confidence ahead of the tough series against England.
They have a new look team for the 2-match Test series against Bangladesh. Scott Styris, Jamie How and Ross Taylor who had a poor series against South Africa were sacked in favour of Mathew Sinclair, and Peter Fulton. Matthew Bell, who has been in great form amassing 722 runs at 103.14 in domestic cricket has been recalled after six years - his last Test was against Australia in 2001.
New Zealand will have a new opening pair in Matthew Bell and Craig Cumming. Mathew Sinclair, Stephen Fleming, and Peter Fulton will form the middle order with Brendon McCullum and Jacob Oram to follow. With Shane Bond still unavailable because of injury, Michael Mason was selected instead of Mark Gillespie who has picked up 5 wickets against South Africa. While Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills and Chris Martin are certainties, either Michael Mason or Ian O'Brien will find a place as the third seamer.
Bangladesh too made a few changes to the squad that played the recently concluded ODI series. Experienced campaigners Habibul Bashar, Shariar Nafees and Enamul Haque have been added to the squad.
The first Test will also be maiden Test for the University Oval in Dunedin. Since a recent first class match ended within two days after pace bowlers exploited an unusually damp and green surface, wonder how many days this Test match lasts. Do join us for the live ball-by-ball coverage at 22:00 GMT.
Teams:
New Zealand (From): Matthew Bell, Craig Cumming, Mathew Sinclair, Stephen Fleming, Peter Fulton, Brendon McCullum(w), Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori(c), Kyle Mills, Chris Martin, Michael Mason, Iain O'Brien
Bangladesh (From): Tamim Iqbal, Shahriar Nafees, Habibul Bashar, Rajin Saleh, Mohammad Ashraful(c), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Farhad Reza, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Aftab Ahmed, Enamul Haque jnr, Junaid Siddique, Sajidul Islam
link:
http://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket...mentary-4.html
looks like cricbuzz stuffs dont want us to play test
