NZ vs Ban Test - New Look Kiwis Face Bangladesh

Hamilton: Shakib Al Hasan is for Bangladesh what Daniel Vettori is for New Zealand - captain, key batsman in the middle order, and premier bowler.

Shakib was in poor form in the ODIs, scoring a total of eight runs in the first two games before making 36 in the third. His left-arm spin, however, was effective, resulting in five wickets at 21.60. He will have to raise his batting and maintain his bowling form if Bangladesh are going to push New Zealand.

Peter Ingram made a steady start to his ODI career 122 runs in three innings and has been slotted at the pivotal No. 3 spot in the Test line-up. Vettori said finding a solid top order has been a "perennial challenge" for New Zealand so the spot is there for the taking for Ingram.

Team news

New Zealand: The late injury to McKay has forced New Zealand to rework their attack, which is now likely to comprise three fast bowlers and a second spinner in Jeetan Patel, ahead of back-up seamer Brent Arnel.

Squad (likely): Tim McIntosh, BJ Watling, Peter Ingram, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Daniel Vettori (capt), Brendon McCullum (wk), Tim Southee, Daryl Tuffey, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin.

Bangladesh: They made one change from the team that took the field against India in Mirpur, replacing Raqibul Hasan with Aftab Ahmed in the middle order.

Squad (likely): Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Shahadat Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain.

Pitch & conditions
The pitch is expected to be batting friendly but some assistance for seam bowling is expected as well. The highest score at this venue is 563 and the lowest is 93.

Stats and trivia

Vettori averages nearly 49 at Seddon Park - with the bat. He's scored 584 runs with two centuries and two fifties in 14 innings. With the ball, he's taken 26 wickets at an average of 34.33.
Of the Bangladesh players, only Mohammad Ashraful has played a Test in Hamilton. He made 1 and 6 in 2001.
The number of Test Matches Bangladesh have lost against New Zealand out of the 8 games the two teams have played.
Kiwis wicket-keeper batsman Brendon McCullum will be playing his 50th Test Match.

Match facts
February 15-19, 2010
Start time 11:00 local (22:00 GMT)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
West Indies vs Bangladesh - 2nd Test 2nd Test - South Africa v Sri Lanka - December 05-09, 08:00 GMT 3rd T20I - Zimbabwe v Pakistan - December 05, 11:30 GMT 2nd T20I - Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Bulawayo Pakistan won by 10 wickets (with 87 balls remaining) 1st T20I - Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Bulawayo Pakistan won by 57 runs

New Zealand Beat Bangladesh by 121-runs in Hamilton Test [+]

Shakib Al Hasan's blazing century went in vain as New Zealand closed out the Test 121 runs shortly after lunch on the fifth afternoon.

Bangladesh Struggle to Chasing 404 Against NZ [+]

The Bangladesh top order collapsed timidly, for the second time in the match, leaving New Zealand on the verge of victory at the end of the fourth day in Hamilton.

New Zealand on Top Despite Mahmudullah Fightback [+]

A sterling resistance by Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah stalled New Zealand's progress in the afternoon session, after the hosts had threatened to roll over the Bangladesh batting line-up, on the third day in Hamilton.

Guptill-McCullum Misses Double Ton, But NZ on Top [+]

The hosts piled up a huge first innings total, declaring on 553/7, with brilliant batting from Martin Guptill (189) who slammed his maiden Test century and Brendon McCullum (185) scoring the 4th ton in his 50th Test.

Guptill, McCullum Lead Kiwis Recovery [+]

At stumps on first day of the only Test Match between Bangladesh and New Zealand, Kiwis scores 258/5 in 68.1 overs.

NZ vs Ban Test - New Look Kiwis Face Bangladesh [+]

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan was in poor form in the ODIs aims bounce back in form in only Test match.

Brent Arnel Replaces Injured Andy McKay [+]

Northern Districts fast bowler Brent Arnel has replaced the injured left-arm seamer Andy McKay in the squad for the one-off Test against Bangladesh in Hamilton starting on Monday.

Guptill Powers NZ Cleansweep Bangladesh in ODI Series [+]

Bangladesh and Shakib Al Hasan turned in their best performance of the tour, but is was still not enough to prevent New Zealand from sweeping the series.

NZ Name Three Uncapped Players for B'desh Test [+]

New Zealand selection committee named a 13 man squad for the Bangladesh Test which begins on 15th February at Hamilton.

Taylor Seals ODI Series for New Zealand [+]

Having been kept to 183 by New Zealand's tidy bowling attack, Bangladesh were drubbed by the broad bat of Ross Taylor as they surrendered the series to the hosts.