New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori expressed his shock and disappointment on Monday after both of their warm-up games before the one-day series against Bangladesh were called off.
The five-match series begins today with the first one-dayer at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
‘I think it happened to us last time as well. The conditions were not good enough and outfields were not able to be conducive of playing games. So it is really disappointing, as it happened on two tours in a row,’ Vettori told reporters at a news conference.
‘Obviously, coming to Bangladesh, we need to look at it as well otherwise it will keep happening. It’s not ideal but it is what it is and we are set to get on with it,’ he said.
Lack of warm-up matches took a serious toll on New Zealand on their previous tour in Bangladesh in 2008 as they lost the first ODI and nearly lost the series having been reduced to 167-9 in the second ODI.
An unbeaten 75-run innings from all-rounder Jacob Oram made the differences between the sides as New Zealand saved the blushes and went on to win the three-match series 2-1.
Oram, who averaged 52.50 against Bangladesh, more than double of his career average of 24.75, is missing the series for a knee injury, but Vettori is hopeful Nathan McCullum can fill the shoes of the giant all-rounder.
‘He [Oram] is very good player. So it’s tough without him,’ said Vettori.
‘I think we have some very good players who step up into his role. I think Nathan McCullum as a guy who will have lot of sixes and particularly with his batting he has lot of power. So we are hoping Nathan can take the role that Jacob takes.’
New Zealand are also without all-rounder Scott Styris (back injury) and batsman Martin Guptil (off-form) and Vettori said it gives his side an opportunity to test a couple of new players ahead of the World Cup 2011.
‘There are always injuries in world cricket and you always have guys who get the chance and make the most of it. All you want is a big squad and people can compensate,’ he said.
‘Obviously we have come here to win the series. It’s really important series for us with the World Cup in mind, teams need to find out who their best players are for the World Cup, so we will concentrate on every game and but I suppose with an eye on the World Cup as well,’ Vettori said.
New Zealand are also going to give wicketkeeper-batsman Brendan McCullum some break during the course of the series as he has been suffering from a knee injury, said the skipper.
‘Brendan McCullum is the first-choice keeper. Every time in between the series we are going to see BJ Watling as he is our second wicketkeeper. Brendan got and injury in his knee.
Myself, Greatbatch and the medical team want to give him a couple of breaks to make sure that he gets through the whole series,’ he said.
Two other new players are waiting in the pipeline to show their mettle at the highest level, Vettori said, though he did not name anyone.
‘There are opportunities for couple of guys who are in the team and will play tomorrow [Tuesday] and we are going to feel for their plan in the subcontinent which is most important thing finding about these guys with the World Cup in mind,’ he said.
‘But that won’t take away anything from winning tomorrow [today].’
Vettori was least concerned about Bangladesh spinners as he believed the wicket will provide an equal opportunity to every bowler.
‘I think it’s been the start early in the morning last time we came here, it helped the seamers. I think it will swing around and I think all the bowlers will have their chance in this condition. It’s not normally a high scoring ground. So it’s going to be difficult for everyone.’
