The New Zealand cricket team suffered their first setback on tour in Bangladesh when rain wiped out their only warmup match ahead of the one-day international series.
The New Zealanders were due to play a one-day match against a Bangladesh Cricket Board 11 at Fatullah Stadium in Dhaka.
Instead, the match was called off without a ball being bowled after continuing heavy rain had left part of the outfield sodden.
The team were able train at the stadium but would have preferred to play after enduring a steady diet of training since October 1.
“One end of the ground is a paddy field, the other is all right and the pitch is fine,” team manager Lindsay Crocker said.
“We were able to bowl from one end and use the ground as an open net.”
Wet weather also disrupted two earlier practice sessions as New Zealand’s arrival in Bangladesh coincides with the tail end of the rainy season.
“It’s been quite wet. Most of the grounds have been pretty sodden,” Crocker said.
New Zealand play the first of three one-day internationals against Bangladesh at Mirpur, on the outskirts of Dhaka, on Thursday — weather permitting.
New Zealand are unbeaten in 11 one-dayers matches against Bangladesh.
A two-match test series follows the one-dayers.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh have included three youngsters to boost a squad depleted by the absence of seven internationals who recently joined the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Opener Imrul Kayes, middle order batsman Naeem Islam and paceman Mahbubul Alam Robin were included to in the 14-man one-day squad.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has banned 13 players, including former captain Habibul Bashar, for 10 years for joining the ICL.
NZPA
