Greatbatch praise for pressure drop

Neil Broom's "mature knock" massaged New Zealand's total to an imposing 336 for nine, suffocating Bangladesh in Napier

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Newly-appointed coach Mark Greatbatch has paid tribute to the way New Zealand recovered from pressure situations in the first one-day international against Bangladesh in Napier.

The Black Caps were struggling at 19 for two and 135 for five after winning the toss, but recovered to post an imposing 336 for nine on the back of Jacob Oram’s brutal 83.

Bangladesh then got off to a strong start with an opening stand of 71, but crumbled to 190 all out in the face of incisive spells from skipper Daniel Vettori, Oram and debutant Andy McKay.

Greatbatch, the former Warwickshire coach, said: “I thought Bangladesh, for probably 20 overs of the game - bowling and batting - put us under pressure but we soaked that up.”

Another debutant, Peter Ingram, made 69 and his third-wicket stand of 98 with Ross Taylor was vital early in the Kiwi innings before both fell to boundary catches.

“We probably lost a couple of wickets too many in that middle stage but they kept playing positively and that set us up to get to 330,” Greatbatch continued.

“It was probably decision-making or execution with those shots but one guy got 70, the other guy got 50, so they’d actually done a fair bit.”

Neil Broom also starred with 71, putting on 52 with Vettori and 123 with Oram, whose astonishing 40-ball innings contained eight fours and five sixes.

Greatbatch said: “Neil was exceptional because it was a mature knock for a guy who hasn’t really had a lot of success in one-day cricket.

“I thought Jacob Oram’s all-round performance, particularly his batting, was exceptional.

“He’s been working hard over the last three or four months and yesterday we saw a guy that, if we can him back to where he was 12 to 18 months ago, he’s going to be a big help to our unit.”

On the bowling, Greatbatch praised McKay for his 2-40 but eyed improvements - and a likely team change - for Monday’s clash in Dunedin.

“We need to bowl a bit fuller,” he said. “Even if we do get hit down the ground, we’re giving ourselves opportunities to pick wickets up early.

“I though Andy McKay made a really good debut, showed good pace and he came on when we were under the pump, so he was probably under extra pressure and was able to soak that up.

“Iain Butler may come back in, so that may mean a rest for one of the bowlers, that’s probably where we’re heading.”