Pitch, Oram are Vettori's worries
The New Zealand team returned to the hotel without conducting any practice at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur because of rain yesterday. There has been more rain forecast following a low in the bay but it's difficult to predict whether the rain may cause a complete washout because of the tremendous drainage system at the 'home of cricket'.
The weather conditions, however, forced the home side to think about the team combination as they were thinking about an extra seam bowler and in that case Mahbubul Alam may make his international debut.
For New Zealand side the most frustrating fact was the loss of all-rounder Jacob Oram, who was ruled out of the second and final Test with a sore back, though skipper Daniel Vettori was confident that his team can overcome the absence of the big all-rounder who salvaged his side in the one-day series to secure the man-of-the-series award.
"He (Jacob) is probably our most important player because of the role he offers, being our third seamer and one of our best batsmen, so when he is out it makes things more difficult," Vettori observed while speaking in a very short pre-match briefing at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
The Black Caps skipper, however, said that the inexperienced Grant Elliott may come as replacement of Oram.
"We haven't decided yet, Jacob Oram is obviously out, so we have gone to look to make a replacement. Elliott hasn't got the experience or the performance of Oram, but we still think he will come and do a pretty good job. Any time you lose a player of Jacob's calibre it's tough," he added.
At one point New Zealand captain parroted the views of his Bangladesh counterparts as he said that their main target is to improve on their first Test performance. And that was the reason he was hardly concerned about the home side's comeback after a nerve-wrecking three-wicket defeat.
"I suppose it's not really my concern. I am not too worried about how they are going to comeback. We have got our games to worry about, we have got to improve on our first Test match performance, so this is where our concentration lies," he said.
The left-arm spinner cum handy batsman also gave his observation on the tricky Mirpur pitch.
"I hope it doesn't dry up too much. You probably presume that the second day can be the best to bat on," he observed.
Comments