Bangladesh VS New Zealand Test Series
2nd Test Played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, January 9-13 ,2022.
Scorecard at Stumps Day One: New Zealand 1st Innings 349/1 (Tom Latham 186 *, Devon Conway 99*)
New Zealand trailing surprisingly (0-1) to Bangladesh in the two matches test series strongly bounced back at their fortress Hagley Oval ending the day at 349/1. Captain Tom Latham remained unbeaten on 186 and brilliant Devon Conway remained also not out scoring flamboyant 99. On a green top wicket under cloud cover Bangladesh bowlers failed to repeat their exceptionally rare performance of the previous week at Bay Oval Mount Maunganui.
Bangladesh suffered blows before the test as their main stay of the batting Mushfiqur Rahim was not match fit being injured. The first test hero with the bat Mahmudul Hasan Joy was also not available. Mohammad Naim made his debut and Mushfique was replaced by Nurul Hasan. This match is the farewell match of one of the all-time Kiwi great Ross Taylor. The way the test has panned out so far it is highly unlikely that Taylor would be required bating twice.
Bangladesh asked home team batting first on a pacey, bouncy, green top wicket. Overhead condition favored swing bowling. Unlike Bay Oval this wicket and condition was far more conducive to swing bowling where Bangladesh definitely missed Abu Jayed Rahi. Unfortunately, Bangladesh not trying to swing the ball tried extracting pace and bounce and at time did not bowl at right length. Tom Latham and Will Young after remaining a bit careful early on set a solid foundation putting together 148 runs in the first wicket. Naim caught young from an uppish drive off the bowling of Shoriful in the covers. That remained the only success of the day of the Bangladesh bowlers as Latham and Conway ruthlessly punished toothless Bangladesh bowling. The unbroken 2nd wicket partnership produced 201 runs. Skipper Tom Latham scoring unbeaten 186 runs in 276 balls. Conway remained not out on 99.
Bangladesh definitely missed a trick not including their best swing bowler on a swing friendly condition. They did not even their most experienced left arm spinner. Bangladesh hardly plays on a such a green top wicket.
Consequently, Bangladesh bowlers had little idea how to exploit the condition. On the same wicket Black Cap bowlers could run riot. But second and third days being better time for batting on wicket Bangladesh must not throw the towel yet.
Unless Bangladesh takes few wickets in the first hour of day two the match would go out of reach of Bangladesh. Chasing the leather would be the fate of Bangladesh team. We cannot understand why Bangladesh cannot have positive approach? If 7 batsmen cannot do well 8 cannot against a very potent black cap attack on their favored wicket.
BDST: 1710 HRS, JAN 09, 2022
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