Bangladesh won the toss on Saturday, the first day of the first cricket Test, to take the opening wicket of captain Tom Latham and put New Zealand’s batsmen through a search test.
At lunch, New Zealand took a cautious 66–1 in 27 overs, thanks to Bangladesh’s precise bowling on the green pitch at the Bay Oval.
Opener Will Young faced 22 balls and was dismissed for 27 at lunch. Devon Conway, who was returning after breaking his arm in the Twenty20 World Cup in November, was also temporary at first but had reached 26 by the break.
New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 1st Test, Day 1 Live Scorecard & Updates
Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque was eager to win the toss and bowl and Latham said New Zealand would have done the same. The pitch at Mount Maunganui was greener than usual and Haque wanted to pass on the moisture left on the surface to his fast bowlers.
Taskin Ahmed and Shorful Islam bowled brilliant first spells, keeping the seam straight and hitting the pitch full length to take the ball away from the right-handers.
New Zealand and Bangladesh put the imminent retirement of Black Caps great Ross Taylor at the forefront of preparations for the first Test starting at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
“He would love to go out with a 2-0 series win,” New Zealand captain Tom Latham said after announcing the Black Caps’ top run-scorer he would remove his Test whites after the two-match series.
But Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo said the tourists “want to try and make sure they don’t have a great farewell. But we know we have to bowl well to get him out.”
New Zealand’s emphasis will be on an all-round pace attack from Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Kyle Jamieson, who have kept the side unbeaten in their last 16 home Tests.
Bangladesh have never beaten the Black Caps and their batsmen have always struggled to adjust from turning wickets in their slow, fast, green pitches in New Zealand.
(with agency input)
get all IPL news and cricket score Here
,