High-scoring pitch on offer for Bangladesh’s second ODI

There was a lot of talk over adapting to the pitch and condition in New Zealand for the visiting Bangladesh team after the comprehensive eight-wicket defeat in the first of the three-match ODI in Napier.

The Bangladeshi top order failed to cope up with the initial swing and movement from the Kiwi seamers as Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson took seven wickets between themselves to bundle out Bangladesh for a modest total of 232. So, all eyes are on Christchurch's Hagley Oval pitch, where the Tigers will take part in the second and series-saving ODI against the Kiwis.

According to Rupert Bool, the head groundsman and curator of the Hagley Oval, it will be a true wicket where he is expecting a 300-run total and hoping for a solid one-day pitch. However, there is rain in forecast today, which means there maybe something in the pitch for the seamers initially.

"We are hoping for a good solid one-day pitch probably typical of what we had in the past. We have an amazing lead up as the weather is fantastic for the last couple of weeks. Tomorrow might not be as kind as it's been but the pitch is in really good situation and there is a nice even grass covering. So, we should be good to go," Bool said.

The only time the Tigers played at the Hagley Oval, they had floundered against the Kiwis despite a positive start in chase of the target of 342 in 2016. They were eventually bundled out for 264 runs with 31 deliveries to spare.

"I never like to pick a total as you often fail as a groundsman predicting a total, but we feel like we have done good and this venue has produced better results in the past. Hopefully it can be a 300-total pitch as we have seen that in the past but again I never put a number. We are hoping for lots of runs and better enough for everybody," Bool told The Daily Star.

Rupert Bool, the groundsman at Christchurch is hoping for lots of runs tomorrow. Photo: Mazhar Uddin

The 36-year-old however added that traditionally there 'won't be much for the seamers in the pitch but it will provide good pace for the fast bowlers while the spinners will also have to work hard as well.'

The Hagley Oval is amongst the biggest grounds in New Zealand with 79 meters to the western side and 70 meters straight from the middle.