Cricket: Bullish Bangladesh reject Hagley Oval fear factor against New Zealand

Bangladesh’s young guns have dismissed talk of Hagley Oval being a graveyard for visiting teams ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday.

The Black Caps see the picturesque central city ground as a safe haven and point to an impressive Test record of six wins, a loss and a draw at the oval.

The emerald wicket suits their swing and seam attack and they expect to atone for their shock loss to the tourists in the first Test.

But Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo said his side had the confidence of youth and were not impressed by Hagley Oval’s reputation.

“They want to try and do what no other Bangladesh side’s done before and that’s win a series in New Zealand,” he said.

“They’re halfway there, the job’s not done, but they’re very driven to try and achieve something very special.”

In the first Test at Mount Maunganui, which Bangladesh won by eight wickets, seven members of the New Zealand side were older than 30 and only two – Kyle Jamieson and Rachin Ravindra – were under 28.

In the victorious Bangladesh side, eight players were under 28 and Domingo said that was a critical element in their preparation.

“It’s a young side so they don’t come here with all the…

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