New Zealand vs Bangladesh 1st Test, Day 3- 5 Talking Points

Hosts New Zealand came back strongly on the 2nd day of the 1st Test against Bangladesh at Wellington after the visitors put up a mammoth 1st innings total courtesy brilliant knocks by former captain Shakib-Al-Hasan and current captain Mushfiqur Rahim. In pursuit of 595, New Zealand played pretty well and ended the day’s play on 292/3 in 77 overs riding on a brilliant century by opener Tom Latham and a fluent half-century by captain Kane Williamson. Kamrul Islam Rabbi playing in only his 3rd Test was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers who finished with 2/52 in 13 overs.

Ross Taylor too looked good during his innings of 40 but gave away his wicket at a crucial juncture of the game. Henry Nicholls joined Latham in the middle following Taylor’s dismissal and the duo batted out the remaining overs to share an unbeaten 77 runs partnership. While Latham remained unbeaten on 119, Henry Nicholls was batting on 35.

After yet another action packed day here we have a look at 5 Talking Points from the day’s play

1. Sabbir Rahman’s fluent half-century

Beginning the day’s play at 542/, Bangladesh rode on a beautiful half-century from middle-order batsman Sabbir Rahman to declare at the score of 595/7. A wicket had fallen in the last over of the previous day so Rahman was the only overnight batsman. Primarily a bowler but a useful lower order batsman Taskin Ahmed joined Rahman in the middle to start off proceedings.

Rahman began with a fierce square cut of Tim Southee in the very first over of the day and followed it up with one more in his very next over. It was almost identical shots which went flying through the point and gully region. There was no respite for any of the bowlers as Trent Boult and Neil Wagner too went for boundaries as Bangladesh consolidated their position of strength. Sabbir reached his fifty by playing a beautiful cover drive of Wagner. Following his half-century, Rahim declared their innings on 595/7. He remained unbeaten on 54.

Also read: Twitter Reactions: Kiwis dominate on Day 3 riding on Tom Latham’s ton

2. Neil Wagner’s four-wicket haul amidst run-fest

The big-hearted fast bowler was the pick of the New Zealand bowler as he finished with figures of 4/151 as Bangladesh rode on brilliant knocks by Rahim and Shakib to post 595/7 in their 1st innings. Wagner though went for some runs but kept bowling in the right areas and eventually got his rewards. On the first day he dismissed Mahmudullah with a short delivery which cramped him for room and eventually gave an easy catch to the wicket-keeper BJ Watling.

Despite bowling his heart out in the morning session of the 2nd day he was unable to get a breakthrough but at last his hard work paid him rich dividends as he finished the day’s play with twin strikes of Shakib and Mehedi Hasan. Taskin Ahmed was Wagner’s final wicket of the innings. The left-arm pacer bowled a full-length delivery outside the off stump which took the outside edge of the bat and was safely pouched by Tim Southee stationed in the slip cordons.

3. Kane Williamson’s fluent half-century

The New Zealand openers began pretty well but couldn’t build on their 50 runs stand when Jeet Raval was dismissed in the 17th over of the innings of the bowling of Kamrul Islam Rabbi. Captain Kane Williamson joined Tom Latham in the middle as the duo looked to put on a substantial partnership. While Latham was a little cautious in his approach, Williamson, on the other hand, was at his fluent best and was finding the gaps on a consistent basis.

Medium–pacer Kamrul Islam Rabbi received some special treatment from Williamson as he was smashed for 3 boundaries in 4 balls in the 21st over. There was no respite for most of the bowlers as Williamson looked to take on the attack to the opposition bowlers. After scoring a stroke full half-century Williamson was dismissed by Taskin Ahmed with a beautiful outswinger which moved just a bit after pitching and took the outside edge of the bat which was safely taken by Imrul Kayes behind the stumps. It was really a big moment for Taskin to get Williamson as his 1st Test wicket.

4. Kamrul Islam Rabbi chips in with a couple of wickets

Medium pacer Kamrul Islam Rabbi bowled pretty well in only his 3rd Test despite going for plenty against Williamson. He got his reward in the very first ball of his opening spell by removing Jeet Raval in the 17th over of the innings. It was a back of a length delivery which held its line rather than angling away. Raval attempted a half-hearted cut and top edged behind to Imrul Kayes. It was a big boost for the visitors considering the start they got.

Kamrul got his 2nd wicket in the 47th over of the innings when he dismissed experienced batsman Ross Taylor. It was not a great delivery by any stress of imagination but Taylor failed to keep it on ground. He swatted it away in the air which was safely caught by Mahmudullah Riad. Following Taylor’s wicket, New Zealand’s score read 205/3

5. Tom Latham’s brilliant century

Southpaw Tom Latham played a brilliant innings on the 3rd day of the opening Test and courtesy his stupendous knock, the hosts are still very much alive in the match. In pursuit of a mammoth 595, New Zealand began in a confident fashion with Latham and Jeet Raval. Latham struck his 1st boundary of Kamrul in the 9th and from there on things started rolling for the leftie.

He played some delightful drives of Taskin Ahmed and Kamrul Islam Rabbi and looked set for a big score. His partner Jeet Raval went against the run of play. Williamson took the attacking approach while Latham played the 2nd fiddle. Despite his cautious approach, he was ticking along the scorecard and scoring boundaries whenever required.

After Williamson went at the score of 131, Latham took on the charge and played some wonderful shots. He eventually completed his elusive three-figure mark in the 60th over of the innings of the bowling of Taskin. He tucked a leg side delivery to complete a well-deserved 6th century in his Test career. Latham will look to come all guns blazing on the 4th day morning and continue from where he left on the 2nd day.

Also read: NZ v BAN, 1st Test Day 3 Review: Tom Latham leads New Zealand fightback