New Zealand vs Bangladesh 2019: Key takeaways from the Test series

The Test series between New Zealand and Bangladesh, supposed to contain 3 Tests, came to an end in the most unfortunate circumstances. A deadly terror attack in New Zealand which the players of visiting team narrowly escaped, brought the tour to an abrupt end.

While the cricket world and, especially, the two nations involved, try to get over this horrible shock, let us look back at the cricket that was played in the two Tests which did take place. New Zealand won both of them to clinch the series. It was a result that hardly surprised anyone.

Once again, the fragility of Bangladesh when touring abroad came into view and raised serious concerns about their ability to become a top-level Test side around the globe. The hosts, on the other hand, can look back at this series with satisfaction, though, they didn’t find out anything new about themselves.

So, what were the biggest takeaways from this series? Let us enumerate them.

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#1 The toothlessness of Bangladesh bowling away from home

Bangladesh's bowling lacked all penetration in this series

Like most subcontinental teams, Bangladesh too relies heavily on spinners when playing in their own backyard. These tweakers have brought them many victories at home. But the struggles of Mehidy Hasan Miraz demonstrate that this formula is not feasible in other countries.

Bowling in spin-friendly conditions against non-Asian sides seems much easier these days. Most teams that visit subcontinent find it hard to deal with spinners. Bangladesh have benefitted from this phenomenon in the same manner as India and Sri Lanka.

But picking up wickets in places like New Zealand tests the ability of spinners and so far, Bangladesh’s slow bowlers have not surmounted the challenge.

The pacers too disappointed. With a bowling coach like Courtney Walsh, you expect them to be skillful and effective. Alas, that wasn’t the case. Abu Jayed was unlucky in the second Test when Ross Taylor was dropped twice in an over bowled by him.

But apart from this, visiting team’s seamers were completely innocuous. The fact that they conceded a big score on a green carpet of a pitch should be very disappointing. Walsh needs to do a lot more work, so do the spinners.

#2 Wagner proves, once again, his credentials as an enforcer

Neil Wagner once again ruffled the batsmen with his persistent short-pitch bowling

When Neil Wagner was in the early stages of his Test career, he was described as a medium-pacer with the mindset of a fast bowler. What this implied was that he tried to bowl short in an attempt to be hostile while his pace demanded him to be full in length.

But despite the lack of rapid speed, Wagner has been able to establish himself as an ‘enforcer’ – a term that implies a bowler who uses persistent short-pitch bowling to unsettle the batsmen. It was believed by many that this role can only be played by bowlers who can bowl at high pace.

But there have been examples of seamers who have done this job without bowling at excess speed. Liam Plunkett of England is one such name. Even Stuart Broad once tried to do the same thing but realized he was much more deadly pitching the ball up.

Wagner has made a career out of being this sort of bowler. Repeatedly, in Test cricket, he has scalped batsmen by delivering a barrage of short-pitch bowling. In fact, that now seems to be his primary role. This series saw him play that with great efficiency once again.

What has made Wagner successful is his willingness to toil hard and keep running in with intent in all circumstances? It is this display of heart that has made him a very useful bowler in conditions where the pitch is not offering help and something different is needed.

In this series, Bangladeshi batsmen were guilty of not showing greater caution when dealing with him. But the relentless barrage of short-pitch bowling that Wagner produces has brought results too often for these batsmen to be given all the blame. Wanger finishing with 16 wickets is a testament to his irrepressible fighting spirit.

#3 Boult may be the new Anderson

Trent Boult once again gave proof of his great ability

Trent Boult has repeatedly shown himself to be a top-class bowler since he arrived on the Test stage. The last few years have seen him become one of the best exponents of swing bowling in the world.

His performance in the series against Bangladesh only reaffirms this point. Once again Boult showed how he could create magic with the new ball and move it like a wizard when the conditions are favorable.

It can be argued that Boult is becoming New Zealand’s answer to James Anderson. It is a big statement to compare him to a man who is the most successful pacer of all time – in terms of wickets. But his average of wickets per match is better than Anderson and he has shown consistent improvement over his career.

The fact that he bowls at a good pace – that can even reach over 140 kph – makes him even more effective. Even in conditions which are not as favorable to swing bowling as in New Zealand, he manages to find a way for achieving good results.

Since he is just 29 years old, he has a long career ahead of him. The great fitness possessed by the left-arm pacer makes him likely to last a long time. Furthermore, he is only going to improve with time. Anderson certainly has a competitor when it comes to the title of the master of swing bowling.

#4 A mixed bag for Bangladesh's batting

Mominul Haque's lack of runs in this series was very disappointing for Bangladesh fans

The tour produced good performances from three batsmen in the visitor’s line-up. Tamim Iqbal once again showed how good he is with three brilliant innings. After struggling a bit in the last series, he is back to his best. The strokes are as crisp as they used to be and he is playing with the flair that distinguishes him.

The captain Mahmudullah showed that he is now the most reliable batsman in the team. His brilliant hundred in the second innings of the second Test followed by another good innings in the second – when everything else was falling apart – is a testament to his tenacity and gritty style of batting. He may not be as naturally talented as Tamim but possesses that inclination for accumulating runs that makes batsmen succeed at this level.

Soumya Sarkar too had a good time in the first Test. He has been tried as an opener but middle-order seems to be the best spot for him.

But there were disappointments also. Mominul Haque didn’t live up to the expectations. A batsman who has scored big runs at home seemed out of his depth in these conditions. His minimal footwork and great hand-eye coordination may be great in Bangladesh but not so when playing in places like New Zealand.

Liton Das’s efforts were also not anything to write home about. Shadman Islam disappointed as an opener while Mohammed Mithun too endured a lean patch. With Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan bound to come back, these players may be in danger of losing their spots.