Russell Domingo Optimistic Of Bangladesh’s Chances Against New Zealand

History may be evident of how difficult Bangladesh sides have found life touring New Zealand but coach Russell Domingo is optimistic that his set of players will be able to pull off something special this time. Domingo thinks Bangladesh stands a good chance to defeat the Kiwis in the limited-overs series beginning Saturday (March 20).

The Asian rivals have lost all their previous 13 ODIs and 4 T20Is played against New Zealand in New Zealand and will be against a Kiwi set-up stronger than ever before. But Domingo’s belief is that his team can resurrect that record in the next couple of weeks.

“It is a great opportunity for us to do something that no Bangladeshi side has done before,” he said ahead of the ODI series opener in Dunedin.

Russell Domingo is confident ahead of the tour of New Zealand.

The ODIs are Bangladesh’s strongest format in the international arena. The visitors have won 43 of their 79 ODIs played since the 2015 World Cup, a tournament partly played in New Zealand, where they made it past the initial round and reached the quarterfinals for the first time.

After a less than ideal campaign at the 2019 World Cup in UK, Domingo’s boys have their eyes set on the next marquee event – the T20 World Cup to be played in India in October-November – and he thinks an unprecedented series win in New Zealand will prove a major confidence boost for the side.

“We are all excited by it. It is my first tour to New Zealand with Bangladesh. I have been here previously with South Africa,” said Russell Domingo. “I know it’s a tough place to tour, but it is a great opportunity for some of these younger players. There’s a World Cup three years away and New Zealand is one of the top sides in the world. If you want to be serious contenders in India, you have to put in big performances in a series like this.”

“I think the 50-over format is our strongest format at the moment. If you look at the team’s performance in the World Cup and if you look at the averages of the players, we have some good numbers in one-day cricket.”

Absence of Taylor, Williamson a boost for us: Russell Domingo

New Zealand will be missing their regular skipper Kane Williamson for the entire ODI series with an elbow injury, while experienced Ross Taylor won’t be taking part in the first ODI in Dunedin due to a small tear in his left hamstring. The absence of two of Kiwis’ batting stalwarts, Domingo agreed, will be a boost for Bangladesh.

“It is a bit of a boost for us, not having (Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor) in the first game in particular. But we know that new players are always keen to establish themselves, so they will be highly motivated to do well,” he said.

The coach also said the key for Bangladesh will be the performances from some of their unknown entities, including those in the pace department.

“I think we have some good young fast bowlers who are coming through that maybe New Zealand haven’t seen before,” he said. “They maybe weren’t expecting to see. We have got some good potential, guys like Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed are bowling nicely. We are excited about some of our fast bowlers.”

Through the tour, Bangladesh also have their spin bowling consultant and local hero Daniel Vettori back in the support staff. The former New Zealand captain was brought into the set-up back in November 2019 but couldn’t be part of the staff in the last 12 months due to Covid-19 restrictions. It is learnt that Vettori still has 40 days left in his 100-day assignment with Bangladesh.

“It is great to have Daniel (Vettori),” Domingo said. “He has been working with us for the last one year. He has been in and out of Bangladesh. We haven’t seen him for a while because of Covid but it is great to have his knowledge and experience here, not just about the venues but some of the players too.”

“He has connected with some of our bowlers and batters. We know what an important batter Dan was for New Zealand. He has given us a fresh energy and dimension that maybe we didn’t have in the past.”

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