New Zealand, the reigning World Test Champions would begin their first home season after being crowned the world winners and they would be taking on Bangladesh in their first challenge. Having lost to India in a two-match series away from home 0-1, New Zealand would try its level best to win the series 2-0 and keep themselves alive for the WTC 2021-23 cycle.
Bangladesh on the other hand would be looking to get themselves on the board in this new World Test Championship cycle as they have so far lost two out of two at home to Pakistan. However, the conditions are not at all suitable for the hosts and as it would be chilly and the ball will move around all too well of their liking.
Thus it is in this backdrop that the first Test of the two-match series between New Zealand and Bangladesh would begin.
Match Number- 01
Date and Time: 01 January 2022, 03:30 am IST
Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Live Stream in India: Amazon Prime Video
The pitch at Mount Maunganui is supposed to help the fast bowlers and Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee would be licking their lips to start the new year afresh. However, New Zealand has surprisingly produced the best for Bangladesh in terms of batting as the highest Test partnership of 359 runs for the Tigers between Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim came in the Kiwi nation only. Hence they would look to seek inspiration from there.
The weather for the first day of the Test is predicted to be mostly sunny. For the first four days actually, it would be pleasant summer weather at Bay Oval and a full game of Test without interruption is expected. Hence if New Zealand wins the toss, they would look to bat first, but Bangladesh might decide in reverse given that they wouldn’t want to face the red cherry early on.
The Kiwi team would be without the services of their usual skipper Kane Williamson and Tom Latham would be in charge of the team in his absence. However, the docs in both the Tests would be on Ross Taylor who is playing his last Test series as a Balackcaps member. Also, Devon Conway and Trent boult who missed out on the India series would be making a comeback in this series as well.
Tom Latham (captain), Will Young, Devon Conway, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, Rachin Ravindra/Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult
The Tigers would be without the experience of Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah and Tamim Iqbal and hence the onus would fall upon the next most senior men in Mushfiqur Rahim, skipper Mominul Haque and Liton Das to anchor the batting while Mehediy Hasan and Taijul Islam, the two spinners would have to come good with the ball.
Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shorfiul Islam, Abu Jayed/Ebadot Hossain.
Tom Latham, Will Young, Devon Conway, Ross Taylor, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Taskin Ahmed
Captain- Devon Conway
Vice-Captain- Mushfiqur Rahim