New Zealand take early control

The gap in class was apparent today in Wellington as new Zealand took a quick and controlling lead of the second Test.

Chris Martin was the star for the home side, after New Zealand won the toss and opted to send Bangladesh in to bat.

The visitors made 17 runs before losing their first wicket, Tamim Iqbal, who was caught at backward point off Kyle Mills for 15.

His replacement, Habibul Bashar lasted only seven deliveries as the ball found the outside edge of his bat, landing Chris Martin his first wicket of the Test.

From then on the Bangladeshis offered very little resistance, only Mohammad Ashraful, 35 and Aftab Ahmed, 25 not out, showing any fight with the bat.

New Zealand showed little mercy and besides dropping Ashraful early on, the Black Caps displayed ruthless efficiency in dismissing Bangladesh in under 46 overs for 143 runs.

Martin made the most of the conditions to take 5-65 and O’Brien, 3-34, also made life a misery for the Bangladesh batsmen.

In reply, New Zealand continued its dominance over the match and series, ending with 3-143 at stumps.

Bell was out late in the second over, given out caught behind and visibly disappointed at the decision with replays suggesting he may not have hit the ball on the way to the ‘keeper.

Fulton made 22 before being given LBW to Mortaza and at 2-35, Bangladesh looked like they had a chance of making up for a poor day of cricket. New Zealand had other plans however, as Cumming and Fleming put on 83 runs to steady the ship for the locals.

At the close of play on day one, New Zealand are very much in control of the match, only nine runs behind Bangladesh with still a lot of batting to come. It will now take a spirited performance from Bangladesh to remain in the game and the series.

Bangladesh 143
Mohammad Ashraful
Chris Martin 5-65, Iain O’Brien 3-34

New Zealand 3-134
Craig Cumming 42, Stephen Fleming 39
Shakib Al Hasan 1-13

New Zealand trail Bangladesh’s first innings score by nine runs