New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test Day 4 preview: much in store despite pesky rain

New Zealand ended Day Three of the second Test against Bangladesh, at Basin Reserve, Wellington on 38/2, still 173 behind in the first innings. While the question of a follow on does not arise, Bangladesh can still get a reasonable first-innings lead. And if they do that, they may stand with a chance to draw a Test for the first time on New Zealand soil.

However, with still two days of cricket left, it is likely that Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor will bat aggressively to push for a lead as soon as possible. They have a buffer of a strong middle-order in Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, and Colin de Grandhomme, so they can easily drop anchor if things go wrong.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, need to break through early. Abu Jayed set up Tom Latham well before having him caught behind and had Jeet Raval caught at cover: both men had scored hundreds at Seddon Park.

But Jayed will need support, and that has to come from Mustafizur Rahman and Ebadat Hossain. No spinner has bowled in this Test so far, so Soumya Sarkar’s gentle medium pace may be preferred to Taijul Islam’s spin, but it will mostly be the three pacers.

Earlier in the day, Tamim Iqbal (74) began in his usual cavalier fashion, with Shadman Islam playing foil. It took de Grandhomme – in the 21st over – to break through. And then Tamim and Mominul Haque took the score to 119/1.

Then Bangladesh caved in against Neil Wagner (4/28). Just before lunch, Wagner got Mominul and Mohammad Mithun in quick succession; and after the break had Tamim caught at square-leg. All three fell to short-pitched deliveries.

Sarkar lofted Matt Henry into the sight-screen for six, but Henry had his revenge when he got Sarkar caught behind. Liton Das resisted for a while before Trent Boult (3/38) cleaned up the tail. Bangladesh lost their last 9 wickets for 92, their last 4 for 5, and were bowled out for 211.

Brief scores:

Bangladesh 211 (Tamim Iqbal 74; Trent Boult 3/38, Neil Wagner 4/28) lead New Zealand 38/2 (Ross Taylor 19*; Abu Jayed 2/18) by 173 runs.