NZ v BAN, 2nd Test Day 2 Review: Rain halts New Zealand charge as the match is evenly poised

Day two of the second Test match between New Zealand and Bangladesh quite effectively belonged to Ross Taylor as the 32-year old batsman went ahead and helped himself to an impressive 77. In fact, the visitors had done quite well on the day as they went ahead and pegged the hosts back to make it an interesting, to say the least.

The day began with New Zealand taking a strike in their batting, to begin with. Kamrul Islam Rabbi was perhaps the most impressive of the Bangladesh bowlers on the morning as he began to showcase his talent and skill to swing the ball in both directions. This swing ensured that Jeet Raval. perhaps one of the slower batsmen was dismissed quite cheaply early on.

While Raval has been in bad form of late with the bat, Kamrul was to get his second wicket in the very next over. This time it was the big one of Kane Williamson who was simply not able to capitalize on the day as he nicked one back to Nurul Hasan who was stationed at the right place. While the visitors celebrated, it was clear that there was a partnership in the offing. This was Tom Latham and Ross Taylor, both of whom have been in the stupendous form of late.

This form ensured that the duo would add over 100 runs for the third wicket. It was Latham who first reached his half-century as the right and left handed combination was beginning to hurt the Bangladesh players. After Taskin Ahmed removed the uncanny Latham, Ross Taylor’s batting took a turn for the aggressive.

Also read – NZ v BAN, 2nd Test, Day 1 Review: Advantage NZ as Tim Southee floors visitors for 289

He blasted two sixes while it was Henry Nicholls who was playing the slow game. One can, of course, sympathize with Nicholls’ batting given the fact that he is playing for his place in the side. However, after all of that, it was Taylor who lost his wicket, perhaps attempting aggressive cricket once too often. Mitchell Santner also played a useful hand before Shakib-al-Hasan made his way into the grand scheme of things.

The southpaw grabbed three quick wickets as the dynamic of the game changed rather completely. This included the wickets of BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme who were also undone by the southpaw. Mehedi Hasan, Bangladesh’s sensation had removed Ross Taylor and New Zealand was on 260/7 at the close of play.

The rains came in and stopped play prematurely before it was darkness and bad light that eventually stopped play altogether.

Brief Scores:

Bangladesh: 289 all out

New Zealand: 260/7 (R Taylor 77; Shakib 3/32)