Tigers to get down to business in Queenstown

There was some much-needed good news for the Bangladesh team as all members of the squad tested negative in the fourth and final round of coronavirus tests in New Zealand yesterday.

After successfully completing the 14-day mandatory managed isolation and quarantine period, the Bangladesh team will leave Christchurch and travel to Queenstown today for a five-day conditioning camp.

It was a tough 14-day period for the Tigers as the visitors had to stay inside their hotel rooms for the first six days. The members of the Bangladesh team however got the opportunity to walk around the hotel premises for a specific 30-minute period each day after the first 48 hours of their self-isolation period.

After undergoing three rounds of tests inside the first six days of self-isolation, members of the Bangladesh team were allowed to use the gym and also practise in small groups for the next seven days of their quarantine period.

But head coach Russell Domingo will finally get the full team together from today as the Tigers start training as a unit for the first time since arriving in New Zealand on February 24.

It was also learned that the Tigers may take part in an intra-squad practice game during their five-day training camp in Queenstown, where the Tigers will also be joined by spin bowling consultant and former Kiwi legend Daniel Vettori. The former left-arm spinner is expected to be with the Bangladesh team till the end of the T20I series.

The visitors will travel to Dunedin on March 16 where Bangladesh will take part in the first of three ODIs against the hosts on March 20.

Meanwhile, there was some bad news for the hosts as their skipper Kane Williamson will miss the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh due to an elbow injury.

The 30-year-old has been troubled by a small tear in his left elbow tendon for quite some time now and the cricketer finally opted to take some rest and skip the ODI series against the Tigers.

Williamson is also likely to miss the three-match T20I series against the Tigers as the stylish right-handed batsman is expected to take part in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League for his side Sunrisers Hyderabad during that period.