Twitter Reactions: Williamson, Taijul shine in Sylhet as Bangladesh leave door ajar on Day 2

After bundling Bangladesh out for 310 at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in the first innings, New Zealand struggled with the bat on Day 2. The openers failed to step up as Tom Latham (21) and Devon Conway (12) were dismissed early. However, Kane Williamson once again delivered when it mattered as the former skipper hit his 29th Test ton to bail the Kiwis out of a tricky situation.

On a surface that is hugely favouring spin, Williamson took time to settle and eventually reached the three-digit mark in 189 deliveries. Daryl Mitchell (41) and Glenn Phillips (42) supported him well in the middle but none of them could capitalise on their start. Mitchell and Phillips meanwhile tried to take the attack to the opposition, which is possibly an indication of how New Zealand will approach Test cricket in the coming future.

Williamson might have been given the anchor role while others surrounding him have specific counter-attacking roles, which has become a modern-day trend. India gave the same role to Rishabh Pant, while Australia asked Travis Head to play aggressively. With respect to England, their entire mantra, popularly known as ‘Bazball’, is to play an aggressive brand of cricket in the longest format. New Zealand too seem to believe in the same system and hence, Mitchell and Phillips showed signs. 

Meanwhile, Williamson was dismissed on 104 as the Kiwis are trailing by 44 runs after Day 2. They lost three wickets in quick succession towards the fag end of the day and that might cost them going forward. Bangladesh meanwhile would aim to pick up the remaining wickets early, in order to take a lead.

Taijul Islam has been brilliant with the ball, as he picked up four wickets while Shoriful Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan and Mominul Haque picked up one each. Chasing in the fourth innings might prove to be tricky and hence, if Bangladesh put up a good total for New Zealand to chase, the Tim Southee-led side might struggle to get over the line.

Here's how Twitter reacted: