Second-string Black Caps endeavouring to do what Australia couldn’t

Hamish Bennett and his teammates have plenty to prove in the Black Caps’ upcoming five match Twenty20 series against Bangladesh.

Hamish Bennett (right) chats with stand-in Black Caps coach Glenn Pocknall.
Photo: Peter Meecham/Photosport Ltd 2021

The experienced Wellington bowler is part of a New Zealand squad in Dhaka made up of players that missed out on selection for this year’s T20 World Cup.

“It sucks missing out on the world cup team…but you’ve just got to go out and show your skills on the sub-continent,” Bennett said.

“I mean if there is an injury or if something does happen then hopefully your name is the first one at the top of the list that gets the replacement phone call.

“At my age now I just want to play for New Zealand. It doesn’t matter what the game is or who it’s against.”

Bennett, 34, made his international debut in Dhaka in 2010, in a one-day series the Black Caps lost 4-0.

He is determined to be a part of the first New Zealand side to win a limited overs series in Bangladesh in 13 years, with the Black Caps also swept 3-0 in one-dayers in 2013.

“I don’t know the history of it too much but we probably haven’t had that much great succcess in white ball cricket over here in Bangladesh and that’s a huge motivator for us.

“We’d love to be able to go back to New Zealand and say that we’ve won a series in Bangladesh.

“That’s my motivation and I’m sure that’s the group’s motivation as well.”

Hamish Bennett in action against Bangladesh in a Twenty20 international in Hamilton in March.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport Ltd 2021

Bangladesh showcased their strength at home earlier this month, beating Australia 4-1 in a Twenty20 series.

“We’re very thankful for that Australian series to know how Bangladesh are going to approach us,” Bennett said.

“But it’s one thing knowing how they’re going to approach us in those conditions and it’s another thing playing those conditions.”

The series was low-scoring, with the matches played on slow pitches, which favoured Bangladesh.

Bennett says that’s “rightly so they’re the home team”.

“Whenever Bangladesh comes to New Zealand we produce bouncy, pacy ones that they find uncomfortable and when we come over here they’re going to produce ones that turn that we’re potentially going to find uncomfortable. I think it’s great.

“You know obviously every batter is going to complain about 120 [score] games, but it’s great for some bowlers and their stats.”

Wellington teammate Ben Sears is in line to make his international debut in Dhaka, with the fast bowler one of two uncapped players in the squad.

Ben Sears celebrates taking a wicket for the Wellington Firebirds.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

“I mean he’d probably rather prefer making his debut at Optus Stadium of the WACA but anytime you get a chance to play for New Zealand you don’t turn it down,” Bennett said.

“If he wants to he may be able to scare a few of the Bangladeshi batters, but that’s all conditions dependent.”

The players are currently in isolation at the Black Caps hotel in Dhaka, which Bennett says Sears is relishing.

“He’s loving the three days isolation so he can study. He loves study, he loves his head in the book.

“I’ve never seen anyone so excited about spending two weeks in quarantine on the way back so he can study for 14 days straight with no interruptions.”

Hamish Bennett has been doing “a bit of life admin” and watching the third test between England and India.

He has found there are limited viewing options.

“There’s a few movies, cricket and WWE wrestling so that’s all I’ve been watching.

“I grew up in the era of the 90s of the WWF/WCW battles. I was WCW man.”