Captain Kane edges New Zealand closer to victory
After nearly four days on the ropes, New Zealand were sensing a remarkable fightback victory over Bangladesh on a dramatic final day of the first Test in Wellington on Monday. At tea, with one session remaining, New Zealand were 91 for two needing a further 126 runs to reach their 217-run target. Senior batsmen, captain Kane Williamson (33) and Ross Taylor (17) were at the crease with up to 38 overs remaining. The change in fortunes in the match was set up by feisty New Zealand bowling which saw the Bangladesh second innings close at 160-9 with captain Mushfiqur Rahim in hospital for precautionary x-rays after being felled by a bouncer. It was a disappointing follow up by Bangladesh to their imposing first knock of 595-8 declared and left New Zealand a comfortable run chase on a pleasant Wellington afternoon. Should Bangladesh lose, their 595 would be the highest score in the first innings to lose a Test, beating Australia's 586 against England in the 1894/95 series. However, the home side have not made it easy for themselves with Jeet Raval out for 13 and first innings centurion Tom Latham gone for 16. Teenaged spinner Mehedi Hasan removed both openers. Bangladesh resumed the day at 66 for three and after losing the early wickets of key batsmen Shakib Al Hasan and Mominul Haque to be 96 for five their focus switched to prolonging the innings as long as possible. Mushfiqur and Sabbir Rahman dug in to grind out 18 runs in 16 overs before a Tim Southee bouncer left Mushfiqur sprawled on the pitch. There were anxious moments as he was attended to by medical staff from both sides until the ambulance arrived in the middle to take him to hospital. A team spokesman later said Mushfiqur had been x-rayed and given the all-clear. It had been a torrid Test for Mushfiqur, the first choice wicketkeeper, who could not field in the New Zealand first innings because of injuries to his hands sustained in his first innings knock of 159. Imrul Kayes filled in as gloveman but he too ended up in hospital when he damaged his hip when diving for a run when opening the Bangladesh second innings. He was discharged in time to hobble to the crease when Bangladesh were seven down and although he was unable to run between the wickets he clouted three boundaries to be 36 not out when the innings ended. Sabbir Rahman, who top scored for Bangladesh in their second innings with 50, has taken the gloves as the third-string wicketkeeper. Should New Zealand reach their target if will be their second remarkable victory in as many Tests after taking nine wickets in the final session of their last Test against Pakistan to win by 138 runs.
