By BV Swagath
A full day’s play at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday saw the Kiwis taking control of the Second Test through a solid batting performance. After two rain-affected days, the Test match moved forward in New Zealand’s favour with the tourists piling up a total of 419 for 8. The Black Caps are leading by 137 runs having bowled out Bangladesh for 282 yesterday.
Resuming Day 3 at a score of 107 for 3, New Zealand lost Ross Taylor (53 from 79 balls) to Shakib Al Hasan quite early. Bangladesh’s hopes of running through the Kiwi batting line-up were quashed by a 140-run stand for the 5th wicket between overnight batsman Kane Williamson and Corey J Anderson. Williamson scored a patient 62 from 151 balls before falling to Abdur Razzak in the post lunch session.
The 22-year-old Corey J Anderson went onto score his maiden Test century playing in his second match. Anderson got out for 116 (from 173 balls with 13 fours and 2 sixes) to debutant pacer Al-Amin Hossain. Although New Zealand slipped to 335 for 8, they bounced back strongly to 419 for 8 in 133 overs by stumps thanks to unbeaten half centuries from Wicket Keeper BJ Watling (59* from 156 balls with 4 fours) and Ish Sodhi (55* from 67 balls with 4 fours).