Bangladesh look for balance after heavy New Zealand loss

Heavy defeats against two of the strongest World Cup contenders have left Bangladesh demoralised and confused whether to go for runs or preserve wickets early on. Bangladesh were handed a nine-wicket defeat by New Zealand on Monday after skipper Stephen Fleming smashed 102 not out for his eighth one-day hundred to win in the 30th over.
New Zealand dismissed Bangladesh for 174 after their young batsmen first plodded on a good pitch and then played reckless shots in a bid to score quick runs. On Saturday, champions Australia romped to victory by 10 wickets after Bangladesh top-order batsmen were out trying to play too many shots early in a rain-hit match.
"I hope we don't repeat these mistakes match after match," Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar told reporters. Bangladesh openers Javed Omar and Tamim Iqbal put on 55 together but were too slow and consumed 16 overs. The team were then perfect candidates for a late-order collapse triggered by strike bowler Shane Bond coming on for his second spell.
Scott Styris took four wickets, medium-pacer Jacob Oram three and express bowler Bond two in one over. "The team plan was not to lose too many early wickets," Bashar said. "But we became too careful. "The wicket was very good. If one of the top four batsmen can bat until the 40 or 45 overs then we will do better." Coach Dav Whatmore told his batsmen after the Australia defeat that they should not throw their wickets away.
"We need to do something in between," Bashar said. "It has been either too much attacking or too much blocking." Bangladesh have only five wins against the top eight one-day sides but the last of them against India in the group stage led to the latter's elimination in this tournament.
However, they were skittled for 112 in their defeat to Group B table-toppers Sri Lanka and have been found wanting on the benign pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium in Antigua.
They face top-ranked South Africa in Guyana on Saturday. "Definitely the confidence will be down," Bashar said. "It is important to put up a good show to get that back." The seven-week World Cup culminates in the final in Barbados on April 28.