New Zealand batsman Devon Conway continued his phenomenal rise in Test cricket, scoring 122 as New Zealand finished the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh in strong position at Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
In only his fourth Test, and recovering from a broken arm, Conway lifted New Zealand by one wicket at the end of the day, scoring 258 for five, with Henry Nicholls on 32 and Tom Blundell on 11 off the last ball. Got out on the run.
This is the fourth time in seven Test innings that Conway has crossed the 50 mark, raising his average to 71.57, but after setting up New Zealand for a big total, he took his wicket off a smooth Mominul Haque delivery. .
Mominul held himself for only three overs before the second new ball and claimed a harmless delivery on Conway’s prized scalp, which was given to wicketkeeper Liton Das.
Bangladesh started the day well, getting New Zealand to bat and then claiming Tom Latham for one in the fourth over.
But his mood changed as Conway shared 50 partnerships with Will Young (52), Ross Taylor (31) and 38 with Nichols.
Conway got off to a quick start by the precise pacers Taskin Ahmed and Shorful Aslam, who found swing in the air and off the pitch.
Shorful caught Latham for a run in the fourth over and in his next over believed he had Conway to score.
The original decision was not out and when Bangladesh appealed the replays were inconclusive and it remained with the umpire’s call.
But when Conway and Will Young bowled out New Zealand for 15 in the first 13 overs, the ball started to fizzle out, the pitch flattened in the scorching sun and the runs started flowing.
Read also | New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 1st Test, Day 1 Scorecard
Conway made his 50 with a brilliant pull shot that sent the ball over the boundary fence and he hit two boundaries in the same Mehdi Hasan over.
He posted his century in a more restrained fashion with a single as he tapped a short delivery from Taskin at fine leg, lacking the two fielders placed for a legside catch.
Young looked comfortable, and survived a delicate lead on 27 which Bangladesh did not pick up and appealed for. But as he entered the fifties, his patience began to wane and after falling a wrong hookshot to the boundary fielder, he called for a single that never worked and gifted a run out to the tourists.
Taylor, who made his final Test debut at Bay Oval for a standing ovation, batted confidently on 31 when he made a wide shovelful delivery, but with Shadman Island taking a sharp catch at short cover. Did not put the ball down.
Shoreful was Bangladesh’s most powerful bowler with two wickets for 53 runs.
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