The washed-out three day warm-up game between BCB XI and touring New Zealand due to overcast weather and ground conditions at Chittagong’s MA Aziz Stadium has left the visitors frustrated. The practice match was the only way to get acquainted with the conditions at the port-city for the Kiwis who are touring Bangladesh for the first time since 2010.
However, New Zealand’s top-order batsman Kane Williamson looks forward to bank on the experience of few members of the team who toured Sri Lanka with the New Zealand ‘A’ side last month.
“It is very frustrating to be honest, but the boys have come off quite a bit of cricket as they played a bit in Sri Lanka previously. It would have been really nice to play the match, but it wasn’t to be. The outfield wasn’t of the condition to play. It’s just the way it goes,” said Williamson to the media yesterday.
“You get thrown these curve balls at times, but you have to deal with them. It is no excuse for us. We have to prepare well in the next few days. It is a shame not to get a practice match, but we have a few days to train and prepare accordingly,” said the right-handed batsman.
The 23-year-old hammered his maiden ODI century in Bangladesh during the five-match ODI series in 2010 which the Tigers bagged 4-0. This time around Williamson is determined to get as many runs possible and at the same time also keep importance for the team.
“You would want to score as many runs as possible, but also the main thing is to contribute to winning performances. Winning a game over here is a huge effort, because Bangladesh are good in their conditions,” said Williamson.
“It is a tough place to bat, and something that I have to get used to. I am touring the world, playing in all different types of conditions. Bangladesh is certainly different than what we are used to. It was nice to spend some time in the middle (at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium) there. But having said that, I haven’t played a Test series here and neither have a lot of the boys. So it will be a good experience,” he said.
