New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test Day 3 preview: Two days lost to rain but result still possible

New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test Day 3 preview: Two days lost to rain but result still possible

  • 09 March 2019
  • News
  • Editorial Team
New Zealand Bangladesh second Test Tamim Iqbal Kane Williamson
Cricket staff remove water from the public area during a rain delay on day two of the 2nd Test cricket match between New Zealand and Bangladesh at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on March 9, 2019. (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Marty MELVILLE has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [correcting year to 2019] instead of [2018]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images)

For two days in a row rain prevented any cricket from taking place during the second Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh, at Basin Reserve, Wellington. Worse, more rain is predicted over the next three days. This also means that if play does get underway – or even if the toss takes place – Bangladesh will have a serious chance of not losing a Test for the first time on New Zealand soil.

But if play starts, the pitch will assist the New Zealand attack, consisting of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Neil Wagner. The pitch is as green as – if not greener than – the ground. Bangladesh have an inexperienced seam attack, but on this pitch they do stand with a serious chance.

New Zealand had won the first Test, at Seddon Park, Hamilton, by an innings and 52 runs. The win was set up by Kane Williamson, who top scored with an unbeaten 200, after Jeet Raval (132) and Tom Latham (161) added 254 for the opening stand.

Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, and Wagner all contributed, while Colin de Grandhomme hit out lustily for an unbeaten 76 in 53 balls. New Zealand crossed 700 for the first time in their history. They eventually declared on 715/6.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 234 and 429 on either side of this. Tamim Iqbal (126 and 74) stood out, as did Soumya Sarkar (146) and Mahmudullah (149) with their valiant fourth-innings efforts, but it was never going to be enough.

The wickets were mostly shared by Boult (6/185 in the Test), Southee (6/174), and Wagner (7/151). Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Todd Astle, the two specialist spinners, on the other hand, had 2/314 between them.

New Zealand likely XI: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult

Bangladesh likely XI: Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Liton Das (wk), Soumya Sarkar, Khaled Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Ebadat Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman.

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