New Zealand’s cricketers face mental rather than physical barriers
when they embark on a tour of Bangladesh which casts them as their own
worst enemies.
Although the rebel bans meted out to a crop of
Bangladeshi cricketers now aligned to the Indian Cricket League (ICL)
Twenty20 competition may not weaken the test minnow as significantly as
first thought, there is no doubt the Black Caps mind sets are likely to
prove their biggest headache on the sub-continent.
Captain
Daniel Vettori and batting coach Mark O’Neill conceded attitude was the
primary concern ahead of a three ODI and two test series New Zealand
should sweep in quick time.
Given the tour serves as New
Zealand’s only competition before a daunting two-test assignment in
Australia in November, it is imperative the batsmen made the most of
their time in the sun at Mirpur and Chittagong.
New Zealand’s
fragile top order did not exactly make the most of their opportunities
when Bangladesh toured here last summer, with only discarded opener
Mathew Bell and allrounder Jacob Oram crafting test centuries.
Stephen
Fleming notably squandered an opportunity to sign off from the Basin
Reserve with a ton while the short series ended Craig Cumming’s brief
reprise as a test opener when he could only average 15 after three
innings.
“Sometimes you can get nervous about missing out on
runs against Bangladesh or missing out on the wickets so you don’t play
your natural game,” Vettori admitted ahead of the squad’s departure on
Tuesday.
“You have to instill in the guys that it’s not their
right to turn up and score runs and take wickets. They have to prepare
like they’re are playing Australia or England.”
Vettori felt
that process was underway though it would only be apparent once they
took on a team aided only by the familiarity of their home conditions.
Australian
O’Neill still confronts a work in progress as he helps mould a settled
top and middle order and echoed Vettori’s fears.
“I hope our fellas take it seriously and cash in,” adding complacency had to be eradicated.
“That (complacency) would have happened a little bit even before their (rebel) players were pulled out.”
The test component of the tour shapes as the most important from a batting perspective.
“Australia
coming off a tough series with India will be the ultimate preparation,
though this is still a chance for a lot of guys to get some test runs
under their belts and some wickets,” Vettori said.
“Hopefully a lot of our guys will finish the tour confident and hopefully they can take that into Australia.”
Aaron
Redmond and Daniel Flynn, who debuted in trying circumstances in
England four months ago fall into that bracket while all eyes will be
on a rehabilitated Jesse Ryder.
“If we started with a home summer it would have been difficult for Jesse,” Vettori said of the errant allrounder.
“He’s
crying out for some cricket and crying out for a chance to prove
himself not only as a cricket player but also off the field.”
Vettori
had been in regular touch while Ryder recuperated from a self-inflicted
hand injury and was hopeful the bruising batsman had dealt with his
alcohol issues.
“In the end it’s up to Jesse to make sure it
works. The team wants him to become a very good player. The way he
performed against England was a great filip for the side.”
Oram agreed the low-key tour was a significant opportunity for Ryder.
“We’ve been working with Jesse, his support network to smooth out those rough edges.
“The
bottom line he’s a damn good player and we don’t have a of of damn good
players. In saying that you can’t turn a blind eye to what’s gone on.”
NZPA
