New Zealand are scheduled to play a two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting November 28 and ahead of that, the visitors began training at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
New Zealand recalled Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra considering the conditions. Glenn Phillips, who was a handy spin-bowling option for the Black Caps during the World Cup, was called up to the Test side after a gap of almost four years.
New Zealand have just three front-row players – captain Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner – in the squad, meaning the XI should be rich in spin.
After New Zealand’s first practice session, Phillips told the media that the Sylhet wickets were “greener” than expected.
“It was great to be out there. The wickets here are greener than we thought, but they turned nevertheless. The boys got a bat and a bowl. Such happy days.”
The Test series will mark the start of New Zealand’s new World Test Championship (WTC) campaign. In the first edition, they beat India in the final to become champions, but could not live up to expectations in the next cycle.
“The new Test Championship is fantastic. The boys want to go there, enjoy the process and get as many wins as possible,” Phillips said.
