'Skipper has to set standards'

SO CLOSE YET SO FAR: The Tigers are led in celebration by Abdur Razzak (2nd from L) after the left-arm spinner grabbed the wicket of Brendon McCullum during the fifth day of the first Test against New Zealand at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium on Tuesday. Photo: Zobaer Hossain Sikder

Captain Daniel Vettori hoped that his side could carry on from their performance in the first Test at the Chittagong Divisional Sta-dium yesterday.
New Zealand chased a stiff target of 317 runs with three wickets in hand on the fifth day of one of the most enthralling Tests witnessed in Bangladesh.
Gracious in appreciation of the Tigers, Vettori realised that this was an important win for his young team.
“We didn't play all that well in the first innings and it wasn't acceptable, the guys know that. But I was pleased with the fightback. I still feel we are a long way off from our best but we got the job done,” said the bespectacled left-arm spinner who scored a vital 76 to anchor the visitors.
“I think it is important for captains to set the standards. It is pleasing for me to make a contribution with bat and ball. I was pleased with the performance, having chased 317 in Bangladesh, who had the momentum.
“Shakib and Razzak bowled exceptionally well throughout the match. It wasn't an easy thing and if you take a look at New Zealand's history, we haven't chased all that well in the second innings away from home. I hope we can carry some momentum towards Dhaka,” added Vettori.
Batting at four, the tall southpaw batted with little fuss and made sure that everything he tried, was kept in the ground.
“I came in as a nightwatchman because I thought it was handy to get another left-hander in against the spinners at the top-order and plus I was in form,” admitted Vettori.
He, however, had respect for the hosts, despite their poor Test record.
“I never said that (they don't deserve to play Test cricket) and since I come from a country where it took us almost 50 years to win a Test match, we are never in a position to say who belongs and who doesn't.
“We respect Bangladesh and if you look at the last 4-5 years, they have done pretty good stuff. They are very talented and they are good enough in my opinion,” opined Vettori.
But the New Zealand captain thought his side were in deep trouble when Brendon McCullum got out to a controversial decision.
“I thought when McCullum got out, it was going to be tough for us. He got a rough decision but then the partnership between Flynn and me made it comfortable,” said Vettori.
Earlier, Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons had said that his boys did not get the better of 50-50 decisions, but Vettori fully disagreed, saying: “I think they got the rub of the green.”
Siddons insisted that although they weren't plumb, it did make a difference.
“I think on a day like today we need the 50-50 decisions to go our way. It wasn't plumb leg-before decisions or anything but you need these decisions to go your way.
“There wasn't anything in the wicket for the fast bowlers as well. We bowled well and we didn't drop our catches but the opportunities we did have were turned down most of the time,” said Siddons.
The Australian insisted that his side played as he expected.
“I was disappointed because the game we were playing was for a win. We were playing against New Zealand in our home turf with a lot of changes to their own side and with our side improving. I thought we had a very good chance of winning a Test match. So I wasn't far off but disappointing for the boys because we couldn't go over the line,” said Siddons, who thought the visitors learned well from their mistakes and planned better in the second innings.
“It was a big target but I think they learned their lessons pretty well and worked hard in the nets. They planned well, didn't play any unnecessary shots and made us for every wicket. Hopefully our guys can learn a bit from that, especially our top-order,” said Siddons.
The shaven-headed coach also praised Abdur Razzak's performance despite the left-arm spinner being questioned for his poor record in Tests.
“He tied up an end beautifully for us and bowled at two an over. He stretched the game out which you have to do when you have 300 on the board. He made them work very hard for their runs. He got a couple of wickets but we didn't quite get enough from the other end,” added Siddons.