||CF Correspondent||

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor said on Tuesday that they are not taking Bangladesh for granted as they are well aware of Tigers ability to come back strongly in the 50-over format.

With the ODI series already in the bag against Bangladesh after two crushing eight-wicket wins, New Zealand have a chance to fine-tune. It will be the last opportunity for several fringe World Cup candidates to stake their claim.

Bangladesh have been bitterly disappointing in the first two matches, hindered by a limited build-up, having come straight from their T20 Premier League competition finals.

Taylor was quick to point out the Tigers beat New Zealand in the game that mattered, the Champions Trophy tournament in England in 2017. “Taking them lightly would be at their peril,’’ said Taylor.

“I think we know the blueprint that we want to go, the way we want to bat. But players still got to express themselves. I think we played very well in the first two matches,’’ he said. “It’s easy to take Bangladesh for granted. In the match that counted they beat us in the champion’s trophy,’’ he said.

“Obviously it’s an important game here. At the same time, it’s about how we turn up in the second match of the world cup at the oval. It’s going to be more important. Obviously, the way we play here and the confidence that we can take from here will obviously play a part as well,’’ he added.

Taylor expects a batting strip for the series concluding ODI at Dunedin. “It’s a normal Dunedin wicket but dead. You need a little bit of grass to have the carry and bounce. I think it’s a good wicket obviously might do a little bit early on,’’ said Taylor.