Things have taken a 360-degree turn in less than a week as New Zealand have bounced back from a shambolic defeat in the first Test against Bangladesh to reinstate their supremacy in the second. Thanks to captain Tom Latham's sensational 252-run knock the Kiwis managed to score a mammoth 521/6 as they declared. The batters' performance was well complemented by New Zealand bowlers as they bundled out Bangladesh for just 126 at Stump's on Day 2 with an edge of 395 runs marching towards their second innings.
After ending the Day 1 on 349/1 with Latham (186 not out) and Devon Conway (99 not out), it didn't take long for New Zealand batter Conway to register his third hundred in Test match cricket, after scoring a four on the very first ball of the day. Unfortunately for him, it didn't last long as he was a victim of a run-out and departed for 109, just moments later.
Captain Fantastic Tom Latham
Captain Latham also joined the party shortly before Conway had completed his ton as scored his second double hundred in the red-ball format. The New Zealand skipper made good use of the playing conditions as he scored runs all around the park. His knock helped the Blackcaps reach a formidable total of 521/6. He was unfortunate not to surpass his personal best as he was dismissed for 252, leaving him 12 runs shy of his best of 264 against Sri Lanka.
Ross Taylor gets guard of honour
A legend of New Zealand cricket, Ross Taylor was given a guard of honour by his teammates and Bangladesh players as he came out to bat. Playing in his last Test match, the versatile right-handed batter will drop curtains on a glorious career spanning almost 16 years at the conclusion of the match. He scored 28 runs before falling prey to Ebadot Hossain. It is Taylor's 112th Test match, surpassing Stephen Fleming's tally of 111.
‘Super Trent’ completed 300 wickets in Tests to dismantle Bangladesh
Trent Boult was at the full swing as he terrified the Bangladesh batting attack with a fifer, in-process also registering 300 Test wickets. The left-arm pacer picked Shadman Islam on just his second ball to take control as he and his fellow bowlers made light work of Bangladesh batters. Only Yasir Ali and Nurul Hasan managed to get in double figures the rest of the players only marked their attendance before departing. Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson also broke the back of the batting attack as the entire team managed to score only half of Latham's tally of 252.
The situation now leaves Bangladesh in a vulnerable situation as they still trail by 395 runs. It remains to be seen whether New Zealand use the follow-on option or not. If they do use it, this will mean Taylor has played his final innings in Test cricket. The defending World Test Championship (WTC) holders would now try to make a comeback of their own as they try to defend their WTC crown in the latest cycle. The win will give them valuable points in the standings.
