With the second and final Test beginning from today weather is a worry for both Bangladesh and New Zealand as it rained heavily in Dhaka yesterday. The forecast also suggests showers over the next couple days, but the wicket remains as the major concern for both sides. Along with the outfield the match at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) will be played on a newly laid pitch and the behavior is unknown to all.
The wicket at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in the first game of the series frustrated both parties as it hardly offered any assistance to the spinners while the batsmen struggled in the first two days of the game as the ball kept low and slow.
A slow wicket is expected at Mirpur too, but it might offer much to batsmen and spinners. The fast bowlers will struggle, although reverse swing is a possibility given the outfield conditions.
“It should be similar to Chittagong where there is not much pace and bounce. I think that’s the challenge of playing in Bangladesh,” said New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum yesterday.
“It is a myth that it spins in Bangladesh. I think Sri Lanka and India offer a lot more for the spinners. In Bangladesh it tends to skid, and you have seen it in the modes of dismissal in the last game. Their spinners bowled very well and they will ask us a lot of questions in the next five days. We have the game to suit, and our guys can be successful against spinners. We are well prepared,” said McCullum.
The game will be played on the center wicket which for a fact is new even to Bangladesh in spite of it being the home side.
“We have played a lot of matches in this ground, but we have not played on the centre pitch so far. Most probably the spinners will get help while the pacers might also get reverse swing with the old ball,” said Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim yesterday.
Apart from the wicket the outfield is also a concern with the heavy forecast around. Mirpur carries the reputation of having one of the best drainage-system, but the heavy rain for about 35 minutes yesterday revealed a different scenario. The stagnated water on the outfield even hours after the rain had stopped surprised many. The groundsmen along with the curator were seen busy sorting the situation. When queried if this will be an issue in the game tomorrow, a member in-charge of the field replied requesting anonymity, “The grass on the field is new and the sand still needs to settle. We are working to sort it out and hopefully it will not be a trouble tomorrow (today).”
