The visitors don’t have Shakib and Tamim; the hosts are missing Williamson, but have been boosted by the return of Boult and Conway
Big picture
New Zealand, however, are coming into the Test series on the back of a 1-0 series reversal in India. They managed to draw the first Test but were upended in the second despite Ajaz Patel’s Perfect Ten. And against Bangladesh at home, they will again be without regular captain Kane Williamson, who is nursing an elbow injury, although Devon Conway’s return to the starting XI after injury will be a welcome addition to the batting line-up.
They will, however, be without Shakib Al Hasan, who has opted for a break, and Tamim Iqbal, who is recovering from a double thumb fracture. Mahmudullah, too, has retired from the format, which has left captain Mominul Haque and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim with a lot of burden to shoulder.
Form guide
(Last five completed matches; most recent first)
New Zealand LDWWD
Bangladesh LLWLD
In the spotlight
Taskin Ahmed took 13 wickets in his three Test appearances in 2021, a number which could have easily been higher had the Bangladesh fielders held their catches. Four out of the 11 catches dropped off his bowling across all formats came in Tests.
Team news
New Zealand (probable): 1 Tom Latham (capt), 2 Will Young, 3 Devon Conway, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Daryl Mitchell, 8 Kyle Jamieson, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Neil Wagner, 11 Trent Boult
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Shadman Islam, 2 Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mominul Haque (capt), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Liton Das (wk), 7 Yasir Ali, 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Abu Jayed, 11 Ebadot Hossain/Shoriful Islam
Pitch and conditions
The pitch is expected to be slightly on the greener side; but like most New Zealand tracks, may ease up as the match progresses. Also, the toss may not matter, as both previous Tests here were won by the side losing the toss. Weather is likely to be mostly dry during the Test.
Stats and trivia
Quotes
“It is not ideal not having one or two of our bigger players here. We have young players who haven’t played Tests in New Zealand, so they won’t be scarred by past performances. We have to look at it as a positive.”
Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo places his trust on the youngsters in the absence of senior players
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84