New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch said Tuesday’s nine-run loss to Bangladesh in the first one-day international of the five-match series in Dhaka was a wake-up call for his side in view of the World Cup 2011.
‘Every game is a game for learning and getting better. We have got a bit of wake-up call last night as the World Cup is just six months away,’ Greatbatch told reporters in Dhaka on Wednesday.
New Zealand were left stranded on 200-8 after they were set a revised target of 210 runs in 37 overs according to the Duckworth-Lewis method, having bowled Bangladesh out for a modest 228 in 50 overs.
Sakib al Hasan belted 58 off 51 balls to help the hosts to a competitive total and then bamboozled the visitors with his left-arm spin to grab 4-41, leading his side to a pulsating win.
‘We did not play well enough. Bangladesh executed plans well probably with a bit of help from rain. But we were very rusty. We played good in phases but I think to win any one-day game against any team, you need to play well for longer. We just did not do that for long enough,’ he said.
‘We were a bit rusty with the ball at times and batting-wise we had control in the game. Then we lost two wickets, which set us back with the Duckworth-Lewis,’
Greatbatch said.
‘Sakib played exceptionally well. He had a very good all-round game and had good support. Their batsmen were patient and played with right tempo on this surface. So that is something we can learn from.’ ‘We have another game on Friday and we have to win that to go one all. It is a must win for us,’ said Greatbatch, adding that he would look into the surface before considering any changes for the second match.
New Zealand had eight players attending practice on Wednesday but only four of them were part of Tuesday’s first one-dayer. None of their big names such as skipper Daniel Vettori, his deputy Ross Taylor, wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum or opener Jesse Ryder had attended the optional practice.
‘At the moment, we just need to assess what wicket we are playing on. Whether the wicket we already played or a new one will come into consideration,’ he said.
The defeat in the first ODI meant New Zealand lost their chance to overtake England in the ICC ranking for the fifth place. They started the series from the sixth place and needed to win all five matches to go ahead of England. Greatbatch, widely recognised as father of pinch hitting in one-day cricket, however, has little concerns about ranking. ‘Rankings are there. But to be honest, it is about the series. It is about each game. If you start worrying about that sort of stuff you are in the wrong track, I think,’ he said.
