New Zealand vs Bangladesh, Bangladesh tour of New Zealand 2019, Today Match Prediction 28 Feb 2019

nz vs ban Match Prediction & Analysis

Host New Zealand will be looking to maintain winning streak when they take on Bangladesh in the opening game of the Test series in Hamilton on Thursday.

New Zealand produced a dominant display with bat and ball to inflict a 3-0 whitewash over Bangladesh in the one-day series. Kane Williamson and co. will be keen to maintain their consistency with bat and ball in the upcoming three-match Test series.

On the other hand, Bangladesh will need to raise their game with bat and ball in order to put up a strong fight against New Zealand. Interim captain Mahmudullah will be determined that Bangladesh can put in a decent performance in this opening game of the series that will begin on Thursday.

TEAMS PREVIEW

New Zealand Preview

Hosts New Zealand will be looking to continue their winning momentum in the opening game of the three-match Test series. Captain Kane Williamson will be hoping that home side can maintain their ascendancy over Bangladesh in the longer format of the game.

Tom Latham showed excellent form for New Zealand in their previous home series against Sri Lanka played in December. Left-hander produced two big scores to see New Zealand dominate the proceedings in the two-match Test series. Jeet Raval will be looking to continue his good form at the top of the innings. He will need to deliver big scores as he is averaging 23.25 in the last seven Test matches.

In the batting department, the hosts will be depending on the likes of Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham to do the bulk of the scoring. Williamson has been produced excellent numbers in the longer format of the game and is averaging 59.18 with the bat in the last seven games.Colin de Grandhomme, BJ Watling and Ross Taylor will need to contribute with the bat in this series.

In the bowling department, Trent Boult has formed a lethal combination with Tim Southee to provide crucial breakthroughs with the new-ball. Matt Henry, Neil Wagner and Todd Astle are other prominent options with the ball.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Kane Williamson (c), BJ Watling (wk), Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Todd Astle.

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Jeet Raval, N Wagner, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, KS Williamson, Trent Boult, TD Astle, TG Southee

Bangladesh Preview

The visitors will face uphill task against New Zealand in the upcoming three-match Test series that starts on Thursday. Bangladesh will without premier players in Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Shakib Al Hasan has been ruled out of the Test series due to an injury. All-rounder Mahmudullah will lead Bangladesh for the opening game of the Test series.

In the batting department, the side will be depending on the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim to do the bulk of the scoring, Tamim Iqbal will be looking to do well in this series after a lean run in the recently concluded one-day series. Left-handed batsman will need to use all his experience to produce something special with the bat.

Since Feb 2018, wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim scored 370 runs in 6 matches at an average of 37.00 with one century to his name. Rahim has been sidelined due to injury and will be replaced by Soumya Sarkar for this game. Mahmudullah also has done well in this period and scored 342 runs in 6 matches with two centuries to his name.

In the bowling department, Abu Jayed and Mustafizur Rahman are premier pace options with the ball. Ebadat Hossain is the new face in the squad for Bangladesh. He has earned his maiden call-up to the Test squad.

The side will be relying on their spin trio of Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz to deliver crucial breakthroughs with the ball in hand. Since Feb 2018, Mehidy Hasan topped the bowling charts for Bangladesh in Test cricket with 36 wickets at an average of 17.83.

Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI:

amim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah (captain), Shadman Aslam, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das (wk), Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed, Khaled Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Bangladesh Actual Playing XI:

Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Ebadat Hossain, Mominul Haque, Liton Das, Khaled Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Shadman Islam, Mehidy Hasan, Tamim Iqbal

Weather Conditions

The curator in Seddon Park has said that they will bounce and carry for the bowlers. The weather conditions for the game on Thursday will be mostly clear skies.

Venue

Seddon Park in Hamilton has been happy hunting ground in recent times. New Zealand have been unbeaten in the last five Test matches. Bangladesh have lost their previous two Test matches played at the venue.

Toss: To Bat

The side that wins the toss would be keen to bat first and post a competitive score on the board. The surface will assist the spinners in this game.