New Zealand VS Bangladesh Test Series
2nd Test Played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Scorecard
New Zealand 1st Innings 521/6 (Tom Latham 252, Devon Conway 109, Tom Blundell 57*, Will Young 54, Shoriful Islam 2/79, Ebadat Hossain 2/143,Mominul 1/34)
Bangladesh1st Innings 126 All Out (Yasir Ali Rabbi 55, Nurul Hasan Sohan 41, Trent Boult 5/43, Tim Southee 3/28, Kyle Jamieson 2/32)
Bangladesh 2nd Innings 278 All Out (Liton K Das 102, Mominul Haq 37, Nurul Hasan Sohan 36, Nazmul Hossain Shanto 29, Mohammad Naim 24,
Neil Wagner 4/82, Kyle Jamieson 3/77, Dar Mitchell 1/18, Ross Taylor 1/0)
New Zealand Win by an Innings and 177 runs
Series Drawn 1-1
Man of the Match: Tom Latham
Player of the Series: Devon Conway
Shell shocked World Test Champion New Zealand from their unexpected 8 wickets defeat by the test minnows Bangladesh bouncing back with vengeance inflicted defeat by an innings and 117 within three days of the Hagley Oval test. Bangladesh fought bravely in the second innings after being asked to follow on after their dismal 1st innings batting of 126 all out.
Middle order batsman Liton K Das producing a sparkling innings of 102 went down fighting scoring 278 all out. New Zealand winning the test squared the series 1-1. While looking back in retrospect Bangladeshi admirers have lot of reasons to take pride. The win in the first against the champions in their den was a huge achievement. It was well expected that the home side would bounce back strongly at their fortress Hagley Oval where they have never lost any test. They completed the win implementing their plan clinically playing like true champions. One of their legend Ross Taylor also signed off as his him let him bowl the last over. He got the last wicket. It was a fitting farewell for the wonderful servant of Black Cap cricket. Captain Latham scoring 252 and taking as many as 6 catches in the match won the man of the match award. Blooming world-class batsman Devon Conway scoring 2 centuries in the series was adjudged player of the series.
As expected last afternoon Tom Latham enforced follow on. The wicket on day three at Hagley Oval always gets batting friendly. The four-prong black cap pace attack unleashed right from the start. This time Bangladesh showed application and will to struggle. Shadman (21), Shanto (29), Naim (24) and Mominul (36) all had starts. But none of them could make their innings substantially big falling to the persistent quality bowling of Wagnar, Jamieson and Southee. Liton and Sohan finally stuck together producing an aggressive partnership of 101. But it was again too little too less. Sohan got out playing one shot too many scoring 36. Liton playing like a champion batsman against quality attack scored 102 in 114 balls with 14 fours and a six. Wagner (4/82) and Jamieson (3/77) were the peak of the bowlers. Bangladesh actually lost the match batting awfully poorly in the first innings (126 all out).
Still then Bangladesh gained lots of positives from the series. True at Hagley Oval Bangladesh was no match for the home team. But on a wicket very different than where Bangladeshis play at home it was extremely challenging competing with a team having too many horses for the courses. Bangladesh failed exploiting the excellent bowling condition on day one as their pacers had little idea at what length and line they had to bowl. Mehedi was also not the right bowler on this surface. Latham (252) Conway (109), Young (54) and Blundell (57*) set up a huge 1st innings score of 521/6. Bangladesh not having much experience of playing on a green top, swing favoring bouncy wicket could not set fields well. Many edges either dropped short or went through the slips.
The second day wicket was far better for batting. But Bangladesh top order batted awfully succumbing to swing and bounce of Boult and Southee. Despite of fight back by Yasir (55) and Sohan (41) Bangladesh got bundled out for 126. The fate of the match was well written by then.
The third days play was only for wait and see. Still Bangladesh showed some application. Liton’s 102 was a saving grace. It was great watching Bangladeshi pacers getting useful tips from Black Caps world famous bowlers. Hope Hagley test in particular and the series in general would give lot of courage for the young team.
Defeat by an innings and 117 runs within three days was too harsh. With better application in the first innings Bangladesh could create greater contest.
New Zealand legend Ross Taylor retired from test cricket. It was a mere coincidence that Latham let him bowl and he picked up the last wicket with the third ball of his over. An icing in the cake for the wonderful servant of Kiwi cricket.
The main take away from the series should be preparing at least 2-3 green top bouncy wickets in Bangladeshi venues and letting the domestic first class cricket played there. Bangladesh now has few quality pace bowlers. Bangladesh may not win consistently abroad unless home condition improves a great deal.
Finally young Bangladesh team played to the best of their abilities and must be credited for first ever win in New Zealand.
BDST: 1327 HRS, JAN 11, 2022
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