The skinny
Let’s call New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh what it is — an experiment.
None of the players in the squad has been named in the T20 World Cup team, so this is very much about development and a great opportunity to glimpse the side’s future potential. That is kind of exciting.
Players to watch
We may get to see Otago’s Jacob Duffy in action in the international arena again.
He made such a promising debut when he picked up four wickets against Pakistan in a T20 in Auckland in December.
But unless he has developed a cracking off-break, we might not get to see a whole lot of the right-arm swing bowler.
Bangladesh whipped Australia 4-1 in a recent series in very spin-friendly conditions.
That does not bode well for Ben who? Ben Sears, that’s who. He will making his debut on the tour and the young Wellington quick has big raps.
He is one of three uncapped players in the squad. Wellington top-order batsman and slow left-armer Rachin Ravindra has been billed as the player this team has been missing — someone who bats in the top order and can bowl.
Canterbury captain Cole McConchie had a good summer and he is an intriguing prospect as well. He hits the ball hard and has a decent record with his right-arm off-breaks.
Questions
Can New Zealand A do what Australia could not and win the T20 series in Bangladesh?
What happens if Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls shine in the spin-friendly conditions? Will someone have to feign injury so they can be rushed into the T20 World Cup squad?
How many wickets would Ajaz Patel have to take to get a run at the World Cup as well?
Schedule
Bangladesh: Five T20s at Dhaka on September 1, 3, 5, 8 and 10.
On to Pakistan
New Zealand Cricket yesterday confirmed the tour will go ahead. Security consultant Reg Dickason has given it the green light despite concerns about touring the country following the Taliban’s takeover of neighbouring Afghanistan. New Zealand last toured Pakistan in 2003.
Schedule
Pakistan: Three ODIs at Rawalpindi on September 17, 19 and 21; five T20s at Lahore on Sept 25, 26 and 29, October 1 and 3.
Black Caps squads
Bangladesh T20s and Pakistan ODIs: Tom Latham (captain), Finn Allen, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell, Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears (T20 only), Blair Tickner, Will Young.
Pakistan T20s: Latham (captain), Allen, Todd Astle, Bennett, Blundell, Mark Chapman, de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Patel, Ish Sodhi, Sears, Tickner, Young.
