Blackcaps better prepared than Australia

The New Zealand team without their cricketers for the T20 World Cup might be a little inexperienced, but they are well prepared as some of the former coaching staff members of Bangladesh have helped them before coming to Dhaka.

New Zealand have not only sent the reserve team players but also a different set of coaching staff where their main head coach Gary Stead is replaced by Wellington Firebirds coach Glenn Pocknall, who has a long working relationship with former Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons.

Pocknall, in a virtual press conference on Saturday, told the reporters that before coming to Bangladesh, he had a few conversations with Simmons.

“I have worked with Jamie for three years. He has good knowledge of the conditions and likewise for Thilan. So it is about gathering all that information and simplify it before passing it on to the players. At the end of the day, we still have to prepare for the unexpected. Pitches and conditions can change. These things can change from time to time,” said the New Zealand head coach.

Thilan Samaraweera, who worked as batting consultant for the Bangladesh team, is also working on the same role for New Zealand this series, and Pocknall finds his inputs very useful.

“He has been great. He has had a bit of experience with the Bangladesh team, as well as a coach and a player in Asian conditions. He is helping the batsmen by giving them more options for playing spin bowling. It is hopefully going to be invaluable for us in these matches,” he added.

Pocknall also said that the Tigers' recent series against Australia also gave him some idea about conditions.

“We managed to see quite a lot on Youtube. Bangladesh were also in New Zealand, and although it was different conditions, we certainly have enough information to arm ourselves with how they think they will play against us,” he told the media on Saturday.

Mustafizur Rahman was sensational against Australia, and he could be the Tigers’ main weapon in their series against New Zealand as well. But Pocknall thinks his team can solve the riddle.

“He bowled outstandingly well. It was pretty special to watch how well he executed his deliveries. I think he is a threat as much as the other Bangladesh players. We have had a good look at him and discussed how we feel we can target him. But it comes down to how we can execute it in the games,” expects Pocknall.