The visiting New Zealand side badly missed the services of their prime spinner Daniel Vettori in the drawn first Test match against Bangladesh, according to coach Mike Hesson.
Vettori, who has 51 wickets to his name in nine Tests against Bangladesh, is currently absent from international cricket after undergoing an operation recently on a recurring Achilles tendon problem.
On being asked if the Kiwis had felt the absence of their most illustrious spinner in a press conference on Monday at a city hotel, Hesson said that there were no two ways about it.
‘Absolutely. We’ve had Dan out for a little while now. He’s been a fine performer who has played well against Bangladesh over the years,’ said Hesson.
‘Any side that New Zealand puts out with Daniel Vettori missing is a weaker side,’ he added.
Hesson went on to comment that the draw was a fair result for both sides going into the second Test match scheduled to get underway at Mirpur on October 21. He also pointed out that scalping 20 wickets in the first Test was an improbable task, given the unresponsive track in Chittagong.
‘I think it was a fair reflection and both sides were able to put each other under a bit of pressure. Once the ball got softer it was easier to survive. But taking 20 wickets was always going to be tough,’ said Hesson.
The 38-year old Black Caps coach ruled out the option of including injured pace bowler Tim Southee in the second Test, noting that the paceman will not be risked as he is still short of match fitness.
‘We’ll make an assessment closest to the time. But probably unlikely. We won’t force Tim if he’s not ready. We won’t consider him. You know he’s too valuable an asset for us to push and we’ve got other seamers that are fresh,’ Hesson concluded.
-With New Age input
