Tom Latham reached 349 for one at stumps to score a double century to defy Hagley Oval’s bad reputation for New Zealand batsmen on the first day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Christchurch on Sunday.
New Zealand were unbeaten on 186 for 99 with skipper Devon Conway as the Black Caps scored on the first day at a ground revered as bowlers’ paradise.
New Zealand, desperate to save the series after losing the first Test, have defied the green surface and have been in control since losing the toss and sent to bat.
Latham and Conway added 201 runs for the second wicket after Latham and Will Young (54) shared a 148-run partnership for the first wicket.
The Hagley Oval requires bowlers to maintain a good line and length to give wickets on its straight surface, and Bangladesh were guilty of straying too often.
Taskin Ahmed, Shorful Islam and Abadot Hossain fed New Zealand loose balls and as a result Bangladesh spent the day chasing the ball on a ground, with an average first innings total of 263.
Latham, who disappointed with another 14 in the first Test, progressed at a steady pace in his first 50 with 65, second 68 and third 66 balls.
His unbeaten 186 included 28 fours, while Conway’s 99 included 10 fours and a six.
Latham was moved up to fourth on New Zealand’s list of century-makers with 24, led by Kane Williamson.
He had trouble in the opening over of Ibadat Hossain, when he was dismissed lbw only twice, which was dismissed on review.
Bangladesh made a loud appeal late in the night to catch Latham behind, but replays showed the ball missed the bat.
After trying in vain during the morning session, Bangladesh missed the opportunity of a wicket in the first over after lunch, which went down by seven runs.
Abadot’s Will Young Edge was dropped by Liton Das at third slip to give New Zealand a run for three.
As the bowlers and fielders expressed their dismay, the return throw went to the bowler’s end where no one was backing up and the ball went over the boundary.
To Abadot’s displeasure, Young scored a five off his next over when he took a sharp single and a throw from Mehidy Hasan from mid-wicket back to the fence at the stumps.
Young had to score another 21 runs before an effort was made by Mohammad Naeem to give Shorful Islam the first and only wicket.
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