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Today is the first international fixture of the year for the BLACKCAPS against Bangladesh in the first Twenty20 game at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
With one Twenty20, three ODIs and a Test it’s going to be a great series ahead of the Australian tour in late February and early March.
The emerging threat - Bangladesh
Bangladesh are starting to prove that they have turned the corner and are a threat to all international sides in world cricket.
The current squad is match hardened, having just participated in a Tri-series with Sri Lanka and India, scoring in the mid-200’s in every game.
With Captain Mashrafe Mortaza out because of illness, Shakib al Hasan has stepped up and taken over the reigns. In the past he has opened the bowling for the side in the shorter forms of the game with his slow left arm spin and he is one to watch out for the series.
“We are very confident. We have been playing very good cricket for the last 18 months or so. I always feel that we are a very good bowling attack as far as ODIs are concerned and our batting is getting better day by day,” Shabkib Al Hasan said. “When we played against India and Sri Lanka we consistently made close to or more than 250 each game so this is a good sign for us.”
Watch Shakib al Hasan's exclusive interview with BLACKCAPS TV »
Focus turns to international cricket - BLACKCAPS
The BLACKCAPS return to international cricket after competing in the hotly contested HRV Cup. The internationals proved to be leaders for their domestic teams and dominated the Mitre10 MVP standings.
The team is full of familiar faces but does include two new caps with Central Stags batsman Peter Ingram in the both squads and Wellington Firebirds seamer Andy McKay included for the ODI’s.
Short-form specialist Nathan McCullum joins the side as well as Wellington all rounder James Franklin who returns from injury.
Game makers Ross Taylor and Daniel Vettori will be watched carefully by the Bangladesh side. “Daniel Vettori is always a bit of a threat to us, getting wickets when we lest expect them and least want them,” Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons said. “Those two guys can expose us at times; they’re the two targets at the moment.”
It’s not all about the cricket…
Not only will there be big sixes and plenty of wickets, a Zorb racing contest will also be happening to get the crowd excited.
A Zorb is a giant sphere made up of transparent plastic and it is a Kiwi initiative which has gone global. At the half time break two participants will get the chance to race in these giant Zorbs while the crowd cheers for their favourite contestant.
Giveaways and prizes will also be handed out at the ground so if you are in the crowd make sure you keep an eye out for the promo people to score some free goodies.
If KIWICAPS get spotted wearing their official membership cards they could win a spot prize.
BLACKCAPS v Bangladesh
3 February 2010
International Twenty20
Seddon Park
7pm start
