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New Zealand was never troubled in this one sided series, which again showed the serious shortcomings of the fragile Bangladeshi side.� Bangladesh reached 200 in only on of their four innings and averaged only 186 runs per innings with the bat.� Bangladesh's bowlers were unable to sustain any pressure on the Kiwi batsmen.� As a result, runs ran freely as they posted insurmountable challenges to the home team.
New Zealand's win sees them retain seventh place in the ratings and narrow the gap to sixth place Sri Lanka to 16 ratings points.� The win also allows New Zealand to regain some points after an unexpected 3-0 loss in England in June.
New Zealand had many motivations to do well in the series against Bangladesh.� Clearly, not wanting to go down in history as the first team to lose to Bangladesh is a large factor.� In addition, New Zealand currently holds the record for the longest initial number of Tests played before recording a victory.� Between 1930 and 1956, New Zealand played 44 Tests before winning their 45th encounter, against West Indies.� However, New Zealand drew 22 of those first 44 Tests.�
By comparison, Bangladesh has now played 32 Tests and drawn three since November 2000.� Of those 29 losses: 18 have been lost by an innings; seven have been lost by seven-wickets or more; and three were lost by more than 150 runs.� Bangladesh has had only one narrow loss, by one wicket to Pakistan in late 2003.
New Zealand's record over their first 44 Tests shows only eleven losses by an innings; one loss by more than 150 runs and five losses by more than seven wickets.� The comparison will continue to be favourable towards New Zealand, unless Bangladesh wins a Test before match number 44.
Bangladesh's poor record has, understandably, left them with the worst Test rating in 127 years of Test cricket.� Bangladesh's rating has now slumped to 787 points and they are locked in tenth place in the ratings.� Zimbabwe is similarly locked in ninth place in the ratings with a lead of 95 points over Bangladesh and a deficit to eighth placed West Indies of 85 points.
Bangladesh had shown some positive signs in their Caribbean tour in June.� Bangladesh recorded their first draw without the assistance of rain in the first Test against West Indies.� Bangladesh's previous two draws against Zimbabwe saw rain prevent play on the final days when they were destined to lose anyway.
However, the future looks bleak for Bangladesh with two series against Sri Lanka and India before the end of 2004 that are most likely to see further big losses.� Bangladesh's best hope looks to be series against a now weakened Zimbabwe or if the ICC does something incredibly stupid like granting Test status to Kenya.
The latest Test cricket ratings are: 1. Australia (1236); 2. South Africa (1136); 3. England (1125); 4. Pakistan (1077); 5. India (1056); 6. Sri Lanka (1044); 7. New Zealand (1028); 8. West Indies (967); 9. Zimbabwe (881); 10. Bangladesh (787).
