New Zealand look to bounce back against Bangladesh

MATCH CENTER | STANDINGS

New Zealand v Bangladesh

University Oval, Dunedin, New Zealand

Monday 07 March, 11 AM Local Time

Hosts New Zealand will be looking to bounce back to the winning form when they take on the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup for newcomers in Bangladesh at University Oval in Dunedin on Monday.

The White Ferns fell to a disappointing three-run loss to the West Indies in the tournament opener last week, after they were unable to chase down a decent total of 259/9 in what was a thrilling final over finish.

Skipper Sophie Devine (108) was the only top-order batter to really get going in that match and she will be looking to the likes of Amelia Kerr and Suzie Bates for contributions with the bat to avoid going 0-2 at this year’s tournament.

Bangladesh will also be looking to avoid a 0-2 start, but they will enter this Clash buoyed from an impressive performance in their tournament opener against South Africa on Saturday.

The South Asian Nation took it right up to their more fancied opponent on their debut at a 50-over World Cup, with the Gulf in experience eventually taking its toll in the 32-run loss.

There were plenty of positives to take from that match, with left-armer Fariha Trisna (3/35) impressing with the ball and an opening partnership of 69 between Shamima Sultana and Sharmin Akhter the best of the tournament thus far.

THE TEAMS

New Zealand Squad: Sophie Devine (c), Amy Satterthwaite (vc), Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Frankie Mackay, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

Bangladesh Squad: Nigar Sultana (c), Salma Khatun, Rumana Ahmed, Fargana Hoque, Jahanara Alam, Shamima Sultana, Fahima Khatun, Ritu Moni, Murshida Khatun, Nahida Akter, Sharmin Akhter, Lata Mondal, Sobhana Mostary, Fariha Trisna, Suraiya Azmin, Sanjida Akmin Meghla

KEY PLAYERS

Amelia Kerr – The in-form all-rounder will be keen to get back among the runs after she missed out with the bat in the tournament opener against the West Indies. Kerr was trapped lbw by match-winner Hayley Matthews, but will likely bounce back against an inexperienced Bangladesh Bowling line-up.

Fariha Trisna – The left-armer was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers during the opening match against South Africa and will be required to make early inroads against a Talented New Zealand batting outfit.

WHAT THEY SAID

New Zealand Captain Sophie Devine – “We know that we’ve got to go back to what our strengths are, especially when we play against the side which we haven’t played much in the past. So it will certainly be about re-focusing on what we do well , making sure we go back to the drawing board if there’s anything that we need to change but I think the best thing for us to do is go back to our strengths. “

Bangladesh Captain Nigar Sultana – “We have done well on the Bowling side and I think our batters have potential. So If we can play good Cricket as we intend to play in the next matches, I think we can show better Cricket than this.”

THE VENUE

This is one of three matches Hosted at the University Oval in Dunedin during the tournament.

The ground typically hosts Cricket and rugby fixtures for the University of Otago, but became an international Cricket venue in 2008 when it hosted the first Test between New Zealand’s men and Bangladesh, and has been used for seven further Tests and a string of ODIs, including three at the 2015 Men’s World Cup.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

All eight teams at the tournament will play each other across seven rounds in a league format.

The top four teams in the standings after the conclusion of the Group Stage will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be held in the final week of March.

LATER FIXTURES

New Zealand’s remaining tournament fixtures:

7 March in Bangladesh
10 March in India
13 March in Australia
17 March in South Africa
20 March in England
26 March in Pakistan

Bangladesh’s remaining tournament fixtures:

7 March in New Zealand
14 March in Pakistan
18 March in the West Indies
22 March in India
25 March in Australia
27 March in England