The BLACKCAPS square off with Bangladesh in the Tri Series on Wednesday night (9:45pm NZT), at the unique setting of Clontarf cricket club in Dublin ... here's seven things to watch out for.
Run runs runs
“It’s a quirky sort of ground, a little bit Eden Park-like, quite short straight. There’s been a big wind blowing today so there’ll be a couple of key hitting areas. There could well be some big scores and the bowlers could have a lot of hard work to do.” - Craig McMillan, BLACKCAPS batting coach.
New pacemen
BLACKCAP ODI player 191 (Scott Kuggeleijn) and 192 (Seth Rance) made promising starts to their One Day careers in the first up win over Ireland. Kuggeleijn knocked the top off the hosts with some fast and hostile bowling and finished with an impressive 3-41. Rance swung the ball nicely and bowled particularly well up front, but perhaps didn't quite get the rewards he deserved, ending with 1-44. Both pushed their case for another go.
Familiar foes
Remember these plucky Tigers? Bangladesh gave there all over three relatively competitive One Dayers in the New Zealand home summer. They've got an experienced side and will fancy themselves on the low and slow Irish wickets - which will remind them of home. They're also in our pool at the Champions Trophy so important to keep the wood on them.
Captain Tom
It was steady as she goes for new captain Tom Latham in his first game at the helm of the good ship BLACKCAPS. The 25-year-old kept his cool when the Irish charged in the chase. He rotated his bowlers nicely and switched Mitchell Santner's end, which saw the left arm spinner claim four wickets in four overs to swing the match. Latham also took an absolute screamer of a catch! Good start son!
Ronchi on a roll
Experienced wicket-keeper batsman Luke Ronchi's made a bright start to the Northern tour. Opening the batting, he's plundered the locals from the first over in both the warm-up game and opening Tri Series rubber, notching 41 off 21 and 37 off 26 respectively. The 36-year-old's hands are also showing no signs of slowing down as he expertly took a couple of crucial stumpings in Malahide, one after centurion Niall O'Brien was beaten on the inside of the bat! #class
Spin twins
Santner's first ODI career five-for took the headlines and rightfully so, but he also worked well in tandem with leg spinner Ish Sodhi (1-40). The young tweakers will be important again on what's expected to be another relatively sticky wicket.
Old heads wielding the willow well
With an eye to next month's Champions Trophy, it was nice to see Ross Taylor (52) and Neil Broom (79) in fine fettle during the opening game. Batting in behind the explosive Martin Guptill and the ever reliable Kane Williamson, these two senior statesmen will play crucial roles in the middle order. More of the same please lads.