17 February 2010 10:30
Black caps on top, despite Bangladesh fight back
Bangladesh managed to avoid the follow-on against New Zealand but was still in a lot of trouble at the end of day three in their one-off Test at Seddon Park in Hamilton
editor@newzealandtimes.co.uk

The visiting side finished its innings on 408 all out, 145 runs behind New Zealand nearing the end of day three before the home side began its second innings at the crease.

Bangladesh needed 354 to avoid the follow-on and did so thanks to a record seventh-wicket partnership of 145 between skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah.

The breakthrough was finally made in the 86th over when Shakib (87) hesitantly played at a good delivery from Chris Martin that caught a thin edge and carried through to wicket keeper Brendon McCullum.

New Zealand stumbled in its attempt to extend its lead over the tourists when BJ Watling was run out for two in the second over. The home side was at 9-1 before bad light ended the day's play after five overs.

Soon after Shakib's dismissal, Shahadat Hossain was caught by McCullum off Chris Martin for 13 before Mahmudallah got his maiden Test century in the 92nd over. The 24-year-old claimed his 100 after facing 166 balls, hitting 13 fours and two sixes and proving his case for a move up the batting order.

Mahmudullah was finally dismissed lbw on 115 from a low delivery from New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori.

The inspirational skipper had the last say of the innings when he retrieved a shot off his own bowl and hit the stumps directly to run Rubel Hossain out for a duck.

Vettori had the best figures of the New Zealand bowlers, picking up three wickets for 88 runs from his 28.3 overs while Martin had figures of 3-116 from his 25 overs.

It was the highest score Bangladesh has scored against New Zealand, the next being 262 and just the sixth time the nation has scored over 400 runs in an innings.

New Zealand had set a first innings total of 553-7 declared and had Bangladesh on the ropes at 211-6 at lunch on the third day before the mid-order stand breathed some life back into the Test match.

Vettori tried everything to break the partnership, bowling a spin combination of himself and Jeetan Patel along with seamers Daryl Tuffey, Chris Martin and Tim Southee.

Bangladesh managed to force its way back into the match however, bringing BJ Watling and Tim McIntosh out to open the second innings for New Zealand.

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