New Zealand cricketers and their fans could not have asked for a better start than this in the second Test against Bangladesh. After a horrendous start to the two-match Test series that saw a major upset in the first Test after the hosts were outplayed and Bangladesh claimed an outstanding victory by 8 wickets.
The Kiwis were desperate to produce a fightback and they were successful in doing so as the hosts ended Day 1 of the second Test in a comfortable position after scoring a huge total of 349 runs losing just a wicket.
Latham maintains his superb form
Star New Zealand opener Tom Latham is not out at 186 runs off 278 deliveries. His superb innings was comprised of 28 boundaries. Latham got a good support from his fellow opening batsman Will Young. The right-handed batter scored a half-century but failed to convert it to a century this time also. Young was dismissed by Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam after scoring 54 runs.
Islam claimed the solitary breakthrough in the 38th over of the day. On the final ball of the over, Young went to play a drive but could not time it properly and it ended up producing an edge that went to Mohammad Naim standing at the point region.
Bowlers fail on Day One
Man of the Match of the previous Test match- Ebadot Hossain looked pretty ordinary on Day One as the pacer bowled 21 overs and conceded 114 runs without picking up a wicket. For another Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed there was not much to cheer for after the 26-year-old right-arm fast bowler had bowled 22 overs and conceded 68 runs.
Next came to bat was Devon Conway. Latham and Conway went on to finish the day’s play after building a solid partnership of 201 runs off 312 deliveries. 30-year-old Conway notched a half-century and is just a run away from securing a ton.
Latham on the other hand, continued his dreamy run. The 29-year-old opener put a healthy partnership of 148 runs along with Young. Latham managed to score the fastest ton of his Test career (133 balls) and ended the day’s play on 186. The left-handed opening batter would be keen enough to score a double-hundred tomorrow (January 10).
Taylor's record
Meanwhile, veteran Kiwi batsman Ross Taylor touched a record after he overcame former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming in terms of most-capped Test player. Taylor has played in 112 Test matches and Fleming took part in 111 Tests.
