New Zealand School Bangladesh on the Art of Batting

 

The Tigers found themselves bewildered on an unfamiliar Chennai surface, one that was lively and offered more bounce and carry than they had anticipated. Bangladesh’s expectations of a slow, low turner - akin to some Australian wickets—were swiftly dismantled by a deck that demanded authority on the back foot and mastery over bounce control. 

Among the Bangladesh lineup, only veterans Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah Riyad showed glimpses of the technique and temperament required to succeed on such a surface. Their runs reflected a certain understanding, but the rest of the batting order looked undone by pace and disoriented by the extra bounce. Lockie Ferguson, in particular, exploited this vulnerability with ruthless precision, sending Bangladesh’s top and middle order into disarray. 

 The Art Bangladesh Overlooks 

The recurring weakness of the Tigers lies in their inability to value time at the crease and embrace the art of strike rotation—an essential aspect of 50-over cricket. Adaptation is key in the early overs, where singles and twos are crucial to building momentum. Without this patience and methodical accumulation, scoring freely becomes an impossible task. 

It wasn’t Brisbane, Perth, or Cape Town that Bangladesh were contending with—it was Chennai. While the surface offered more carry than usual, it wasn’t a treacherous track. Runs were available, provided one stuck to the fundamentals: getting through challenging phases, milking the gaps, and waiting for loose deliveries. 

Williamson’s Masterclass in Adaptation

Kane Williamson’s innings served as a lesson in the value of temperament, technique, and tactical awareness. Returning to competitive cricket after a six-month layoff due to injury, the New Zealand captain demonstrated that success isn’t just about flair but also about staying true to the basics. 

Williamson absorbed the initial pressure, respecting Bangladesh’s bowlers as they limited New Zealand to just 37 runs in the first 10 overs. He was unflustered by the slow start—ducking under short balls, leaving deliveries outside off, and weathering the tough passage without a hint of anxiety. 

And then, the shift began. Once the foundation was laid, the captain’s brilliance came to the fore. Singles and twos flowed effortlessly into the gaps, rotating the strike and sapping the energy out of the fielders. Boundaries came, not from forced shots but from capitalizing on errors in line and length. Through a masterclass in situational awareness, Williamson ensured that New Zealand’s chase never appeared in doubt. 

A Lesson Bangladesh Must Learn

Bangladesh’s struggle in this match was more mental than technical. Their failure to understand the rhythm of ODI cricket - the importance of occupying the crease and the cumulative power of strike rotation - remains a glaring weakness. New Zealand’s approach under Williamson should serve as a blueprint: the path to big scores lies in patience, partnerships, and timely aggression, not in reckless stroke play. 

In essence, New Zealand didn’t just outplay Bangladesh—they out-thought them. The Tigers will need to revisit their basics, not just in terms of technique but also in cricketing philosophy, if they are to find consistency on varied wickets. Because, as Williamson showed, the game is won as much in the mind as it is with the bat.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar