Analysis: Bangladesh made history last night by winning their first-ever T20 match in New Zealand on their 10th attempt. The Black Caps were absolutely woeful, but there is no need to panic.
The Black Caps' first step in preparation for next year's T20 World Cup couldn't have gone any worse last night. Batting first in Napier, the home side lost three wickets within the first nine balls, slipping to 1/3 in the second over. While they scraped through to 134, it was never really going to be enough, proven as Bangladesh chased it down with relative ease.
It was Bangladesh's first T20 win on New Zealand shores and it comes just days after they notched their first ODI win in New Zealand, too, 16 years after playing their first white-ball game in this country. Doing so without stars Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and Taskin Ahmed makes the feat all the more impressive.
While grim performances back-to-back are not ideal for the Black Caps, this should be no time for the team, nor supporters to panic.
The golden generation of New Zealand cricket is ageing - as shown at the recent World Cup where just two squad members were under 30 - and a new crop of players will soon need to take over. Pleasingly, the selectors have given a bunch of youngsters an opportunity in both the ODI and T20 series against Bangladesh to build experience and learn from their mistakes. Finn Allen and Ben Sears learnt the hard way last night, but will be better for it going forward. In bilateral series like these - which have about as much meaning as a 5th grade club game - it's worth giving fresh blood a go, even if they don't get the desired result.
For the last decade, New Zealand cricket fans have been spoilt by an immensely talented side full of world-class players. While we would all love that to continue for years to come, it's probably unrealistic. That's not to say there aren't young cricketers coming through aren't immensely talented - both Allen and Sears, as well as Rachin Ravindra have shown they have the ability to succeed at the highest level. But rather than throwing them in the deep end once the likes of Kane Williamson and Tim Southee retire, it's better to integrate them into the team and learn from the very best.
Success doesn't always come immediately, especially with young players. Williamson and Southee themselves hardly set the world alight despite excellent Test debuts. Southee, who has the potential to go past Sir Richard Hadlee for the most Test wickets taken by a New Zealand bowler, was dropped in 2012 after a dismal outing against South Africa in Dunedin. It was so bad the University Oval crowd ironically clapped when Southee conceded 100 runs in the second innings without taking a wicket. At the time of his axing, Southee was averaging nearly 45 with the ball after 17 Tests. It's now 29 after 96.
Likewise, Williamson averaged just 30 through his first 20 Tests as he struggled with the huge responsibility of the number three position, but found his straps in 2013 and has never looked back. He now averages over 51 through 96 Tests. The team's results were horrific through that period too. Who could forget the outcry when the Black Caps were bowled out for 45 in Brendon McCullum's first Test as captain after controversially taking over from Ross Taylor?
The point is, there can be growing pains as teams shift from one era to another. Losing at home to Bangladesh is obviously not a good result, but at least some young players are getting the chance to learn at the highest level. With tough series against South Africa and Australia looming later in the summer, this is the best time to look towards the future and give the next generation a go. Who knows, it may pay off just as it did a decade ago.
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