'The start of a new challenge'

Bangladesh's most successful coach Chandika Hathurusingha said that the New Zealand series would be the start of a new challenge for the Tigers. He also said that they could not have asked for a tougher place to launch a significant year away from home including the ICC Champions Trophy in England.

“The New Zealand series will be the start of a new challenge for us,” said Hathurusingha after training on Sunday.

Under Hatuhrusingha Bangladesh performed beyond anybody's expectations and established their home dominance against the top teams in the world.

But the Sri Lankan now wants to look ahead with a pragmatic set of targets.

“Any team that matter performing in overseas gives you a lot of confidence. Not only Bangladesh, every other team in the world struggling away from home lately. So, for us it's nothing new. Our expectation is realistic. We want to do well; we want to measure up against good teams like New Zealand in their own backyard. So, we are open and we want to see where we are,” said Hathurusingha.

He also credited his charges for absorbing his ideas.

“I'm obviously lucky to have a good team. I'm happy that the players are buying into the ideas that they have brought in and they are maturing as well. So, they are playing very good cricket. Then our selection has improved over the years and we have a lot of options. So I'm very happy the way things are working now.”

He said that the opening game would be very important for his team.

“The start is important mentally for us, to get confidence. What I can see from the players and their body language and how they prepared -- I'm very confident going into the first game whether we bowl or bat.

“Our practice session for the first few days in Sydney was a bit of a shock for the system for the boys coming back from BPL. So credit to them that they got the feeling of the pitches for how to adapt,” he said, adding that it was definitely a bit taxing for the players to go straight into a series after 45 days of non-stop cricket.

Regarding the wicket the witty coach said: “It's pretty New Zealand. A lot of grass; nothing is surprising.”

He also said that the toss is important when you win. “Otherwise you will have to listen to what the other captain says.”

Hathurusingha also wanted to keep the playing 11 close to his chest when asked about the possibility of a pace-heavy attack.

“We have got good pace and spin options and we will play to our strength according to the situation,” he said, adding that he was not against the idea of Soumya Sarkar bowling a few overs.

“Faster wickets suit Soumya's style of batting. It's good to see him hitting well and he can also bowl a few overs in these conditions.”