The Great Comeback   18 Jan 2017

Posted Sunday, 15 January, 2017 in International Match Reports
   
Day Five

A Kane Williamson century has helped the BLACKCAPS pull off a sensational final-hour victory at the Basin Reserve in the first ANZ Test against Bangladesh.

The skipper recorded his 15th Test ton and hit the winning runs, as the BLACKCAPS chased down 217 to take a 1-0 series lead.

It's an outcome which looked incredibly unlikely at the conclusion of day two, with Bangladesh making 595-8 declared in their first-innings - a total which turned out to be the highest ever-scored in a losing effort.

Early in day five, Bangladesh resumed at 66-3 and immediately lost the big wicket of first innings double century maker Shakib Al Hasan.

The star all rounder tried to take on spinner Mitchell Santner in the second over of the day, but couldn't clear Kane Williamson at mid-on to fall for a duck.

Neil Wagner would get in on the act not long after, as the crafty Mominul Haque fell to a catch in the gully for 23.

After sitting out the fielding effort with an injury to his hand, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim came out to bat at number eight.

Not long before lunch the diminutive right hander was struck on the helmet by a bouncer and required medical attention.

Mushfiqur was  taken to hospital for a neck scan and later returned to the ground after being cleared of any serious injury.

This effectively left the visitors 114-6 as Taskin Ahmed joined Sabbir who was going nicely at the other end.

The pair put on 23 before Trent Boult clean bowled the left handed number nine with a precise swinging yorker to reduce the visitors to 137-6 at lunch.

While wickets fell around him, Sabbir continued to defy the BLACKCAPS, raising his half century as the Bangladesh lead passed 200.

Tim Southee then removed Kamrul Islam with a well directed short ball, as Imrul Kayes returned to the batting crease after retiring hurt late on day four.

He played his shots and together with Sabbir threatened to get away on the BLACKCAPS before Boult claimed the big wicket of Sabbir for 50.

Boult would clean the innings up with his fifth wicket for the match as Bangladesh closed at 160-9, leaving the BLACKCAPS 217 to win from 57 overs.

The BLACKCAPS chase got off to a tricky start with both openers departing before the scoreboard passed 50.

That brought together the experienced pair of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor who counter-punched expertly before tea.

Scoring all around the wicket, the duo raised a thrilling 100 run stand in just 82 balls as the strong crowd urged them towards victory.


Day Four

A solid batting effort and three late wickets has the BLACKCAPS sensing an unlikely victory heading into the final day of the first ANZ Test against Bangladesh in Wellington.

Mitchell Santner produced the late heroics, clean bowling Tamim Iqbal for 25, before running out night-watchman Mehedi Hasan with the final act of day four, as the visitors slumped to 66-3 and a lead of just 122 runs.

Scorecard

Earlier opener Tom Latham kicked on to his highest Test score of 177 to help steer the hosts out of trouble on another good day for batting at the Basin Reserve.

The 25-year-old's 329 ball vigil lasted nearly eight hours and saw him strike 18 fours and a six in the highest score by a New Zealand opener at the Basin Reserve.

He was ably assisted by Canterbury teammate Henry Nicholls (53), with the pair putting on a record fourth wicket stand against Bangladesh of 142.

BJ Watling (49) and Mitchell Santner then combined for the fifth 50 plus run partnership of the innings as the follow on mark was passed.

Santner would blaze his way to 73, his highest Test score, in an innings which included two large straight sixes.

Neil Wagner (18) also played his shots and took on the short ball with mixed success. The left hander was struck on the helmet three times, but on each occasion passed the medical concussion test and was able to continue batting.

Wagner would get his own back later in the day by claiming the important wicket of Mahmudullah as part of of 3-16 period, as the BLACKCAPS finished the day on a high.


Neil Wagner celebrates the wicket of Mahmudullah. Credit: Photosport.

Day Three

BLACKCAPS 292-3 (Tom Latham 119*, Henry Nicholls 35*) trail
Bangladesh 595-8 declared (Shakib Al Hasan 217, Mushfiqur Rahim 159, Neil Wagner 4-151)
by 303 runs

Bangladesh resumed at 542-7 and set about trying to build on their total.

Scorecard

Their early momentum was stymied by Neil Wagner's fourth wicket as  breakthrough, the left armer nicking out Taskin Ahmed for his third wicket.

Sabbir Rahman pushed on for a fifty before the declaration was made an hour into the first session at 595-8.

BLACKCAPS openers Tom Latham and Jeet Raval made a positive start, posting a 54 run opening stand before Raval was caught behind off Kamrul Islam Rabbi's first delivery of the match.

Latham would find good support from his captain, as the pair racked up another half century partnership in good time.

Williamson cruised to a run-a-ball fifty before edging one behind off Taskin to the surprise of the Wellington crowd.

Tom Latham pushed onto his 12th Test half century.

Taylor came to the crease and immediately went on the attack.

The 32-year-old struck six boundaries in a quick fire 40 before he pulled one straight to square leg.

Latham just kept going. After 167 balls at the crease, the 24-year-old raised his bat for his sixth Test century.


Henry Nicholls combined with Latham for the BLACKCAPS fourth 50-run partnership of the innings.

In darkening conditions, the pair withstood the Bangladesh attack in blustery Wellington conditions, until umpires called stumps.


Day Two


In Short
What a difference a day makes.

The second morning of the first ANZ Test at the Basin Reserve dawned fine with blue skies and only a slight breeze.

However, this was not to be a good omen for the BLACKCAPS, who were made to toil by Bangladesh for the entire day.

A record 359 run stand between Shakib Al Hasan (217) and Mushfiqur Rahim (159) did the damage, with the pair posting the highest fifth wicket partnership by any side on New Zealand soil.

The BLACKCAPS bowlers ran in hard all day but found the going tough on the increasingly flat Basin Reserve wicket.

Trent Boult eventually broke the big partnership late in the third session and that was followed by two Neil Wagner wickets to give the hosts a little boost at the end of a long day.


Day One

In Short
High winds, rain and bad light - an awful day in the capital.

Wellington's wild weather disrupted day one of the BLACKCAPS opening ANZ Test against Bangladesh at the Basin Reserve where just 40.2 overs were possible, as every session of the day was cut short.

It was Bangladesh who seemed to cope better after being sent in, negotiating their way to 154-3 at stumps, thanks to half centuries by opener Tamim Iqbal and not out first drop Mominul Haque (64*).

Scorecard

Tim Southee and Trent Boult made the two early breakthroughs for the hosts on a tough day for swing bowling, as winds of 130 kmph plus swept across the ground.

The Bangladesh batsmen played with positive intent and effectively dispatched any loose deliveries.

Standing at just five foot three - Mominul was particularly impressive, playing with patience he methodically worked his way to stumps and will be the prized wicket on day two.

Left armer Neil Wagner did the donkey work into the wind and was rewarded late in the day with the important wicket of Mahmudullah for 26, caught behind sharply by keeper BJ Watling.


Source: NZ Blackcaps/ Photo credit: Photosport

Add a comment