By Martin Davidson of NZPA

Hamilton, Feb 14 NZPA - The moderate versus the mediocre.

There is no hiding the fact that the one-off test between New Zeal and and Bangladesh starting here tomorrow is hardly drawing attention from the cricketing world.

Even local interest is lukewarm at best at the prospect of these two teams doing battle over the next five days at Sodden Park in a test added to the calendar to fill a gaping hole before the impending arrival of Australia.

New Zealand, ranked sixth in the International Cricket Council's test rankings, are widely expected to take care of the ninth-ranked Bangladeshis with a minimum of fuss, although that's not to say captain Dan Vettori does not have a raft of things on his mind.

New Zealand have met Bangladesh on eight occasions in the test arena, winning seven with the other game drawn.

But against any other nation the hosts would be considered vulnerable as they road test yet another new batting top order in openers Tim McIntosh and BJ Watling with 31-year-old debutant Peter Ingram at first drop.

The trio boast all of 11 test caps between them, with tall left-hander McIntosh accounting for 10 of them, leaving big question marks over the home side's ability to counter the new ball, even against a Bangladeshi side fronting with steady steamers.

"It's a tough ask and it's a perennial challenge for New Zealand sides," Vettori said of the continuing search to find some dependability at the top of the order.

"These three guys have the opportunity now. Tim and BJ played really well in their last test match (against Pakistan at Napier in December) and for Peter it's a chance for him to continue on his one-day form."

The rearranged batting order, with Martin Guptill slipping down to No 5, is almost certain to see Vettori bat at No 6, with squad newcomer Neil Broom seemingly destined to watch from the boundary.

Vettori strongly hinted today that he would share the spin bowling duties here with Wellington offspinner Jeetan Patel, with Chris Martin, Daryl Tuffey and Tim Southee to provide the pace.

It will mean a 10th test cap in almost 4-1/2 years for Patel.

Vettori refused to be fooled by the appearance of a grass-tinged Sodden Park surface as curator Karl Johnson has done his best to follow instructions and provide a pitch offering pace and bounce.

"It obviously looks green but I think the top soil plays better than it looks," Vet tori said of his Northern Districts home ground pitch.

"If it's fine tomorrow it'll probably be a good deck and if it's cloudy maybe it'll swing about a bit."

Vettori was comfortable leaving the seam bowling duties to his tried and trusted threesome, meaning Brent Arnel will have to wait longer to make his first test appearance.

The 21-year-old Northern Districts medium-fast bowler was added to the squad yesterday after Andy McKay withdrew due to a foot injury.

Had he been fit Vettori would probably have played McKay, to make use of his extra pace and the variety offered by the left-armer.

"Whenever you've got Chris Martin, Tim Southee and Daryl Tuffey they offer you options throughout an innings. They're not just new ball bowlers, they can take wickets at any time, particularly Chris Martin."

Given the rub of the green, Bangladesh may not be the pushovers many predict.

They have played 63 tests since 2001, winning just three of them, once against a severely weak Zimbabwe and twice last year against a West Indies side decimated by player unavailability due to contractual disputes with officialdom.

But they pushed India hard at times in a 0-2 home series loss last month, and strengthened their squad here with the arrival last week of No 3 batsman Junaid Siddique.

Captain Shakib Al Hasan said his team had improved with every outing on tour to date and although they lost the one-dayers 0-3 they were much the better for spending time in the middle.

Teams:-

New Zealand (from): Dan Vettori, Tim McIntosh, BJ Gatling, Peter Ingram, Ross Taylor, Martin Gupta, Brendon McCullum, Daryl Tuffey, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin, Neil Broom, Brent Arnel.

Bangladesh (from): Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Raqibul Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Abdur Razzak, Naeem Islam, Shahadat Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Aftab Ahmed.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa), Rod Tucker (Australia). Third umpire: Simon Taufel (Australia). Match referee: Alan Hurst (Australia).

NZPA WGT md pm