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

Tom Latham led the fightback for New Zealand after the Bangladesh side racked up the runs in the first innings. He was supported in his crusade by Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor as the latter returned from an eye issue. The day began rather well well for the visitors as Sabbir Rahman played one of his better Test match innings as he slammed an impressive half-century.

He also went ahead and batted quite well the tail and also helped his side rack up the runs as he scored an impressive 54. This also ensured that Bangladesh went ahead and raced up 595 before the Kiwis came out to bat. The New Zealand innings came out to bat with the rain threatening the match as well. However, the innings got off to a solid start as Jeet Raval and Tom Latham began to add a bit of solidity to their game as well.

Despite the solid start, they were well on their way towards the mammoth target set aside by their opponents. The duo added 54 runs for the first stand before it was Kamrul Islam who removed Raval for 27 as the southpaw was snapped up at slip by Imrul Kayes. While Kamrul and his teammates celebrated, little did they know what was to be unleashed from the bat of Kane Williamson and the returning Ross Taylor.

Williamson joined Latham first as they continued to build the partnership that had been founded by the likes of Jeet Raval. However, in contrast, there was a touch of aggression to the way in which Williamson played as he went about compiling his half-century.

Taskin Ahmed was making his debut on the day after correcting his action. However, his first Test wicket would be a treasured one. There have been those who have claimed their first Test wicket as those of Sachin Tendulkar. However, Taskin’s first wicket saw him claim the wicket of Kane Williamson. In fact, it was the latter’s own aggression that would eventually be his own downfall to say the least.

Ross Taylor, the player who seemingly recovered from the strenuous eye problem he was facing at the time. Taylor managed 40 runs as New Zealand inched ever so close to the 300-run mark. This coupled with a solid 35 from Henry Nicholls ensured that the Kiwis were 303 runs behind the play as far as the outset of the Test match was concerned.

Brief Scores:

Bangladesh, 1st innings: 595/8 dec (Shakib 217; N Wagner 4/151)

New Zealand, 1st innings: 292/3 (T Latham 119*; Kamrul 2/53)