New Zealand v Bangladesh, 2nd Test Day 1: 5 Talking Points

Day 1 of the second Test match in Christchurch only brought more misery to Bangladesh as far as hosts New Zealand was concerned given the fact that this was yet another collapse from an Asian side down under. While the conditions cannot be blamed, it was the amazing bowling that took the cake as swinging twins Tim Southee and Trent Boult took the cake with nine wickets between them. This also culminated in the fact that the duo also impressed by ensuring that the ball swung both ways, something that is certainly difficult even for the best of batsmen to play.

As for Bangladesh, the changes rendered them quite weak as well as added to the fact that they simply could not make much of the toughness of the conditions as well. Moreover, there were a few good performances with the bat, something that ensured that the batting collapse was not imminent. Soumya Sarkar was perhaps the most impressive of the batsmen and was also denuded a century on the day as well. While there were a lot of talking points on the day, here are five of the most prominent of the points from the day’s play between New Zealand and Bangladesh.

1. Bangladesh ring in the changes

Bangladesh rung in the changes, a few of which were forced given the injuries they were having. In fact, in retrospect, it was quite clear that the Bangladeshis did quite well not to capitulate under the full strength New Zealand squad as well, something that was quite impressive to say the least. With Imrul Kayes out of the side owing to a hip injury, Sarkar was brought in while an injury to Mushfiqur Rahim ensured that Nurul Hasan would once again make his way back into the side. The latter was perhaps the one that hurt the Bangladeshis the most owing to the lack of leadership on the tour thus far.

2. Soumya Sarkar revels in opening spot

If one was to pick the best performer on the day for the visitors, it would certainly be Soumya Sarkar. The youngster made his way into the side and also impressed quie a bit with his defensive solidity as well as his acumen to play the big shots as well. He played Boult and Southee with the precision that he is known to have as well as with the eye of the tiger, something that the Bangladesh batsmen are beginning to develop in recent times. His cover drives and ematy blows ensured that the visitors did not capitulate to the bowling of the Kiwis while he ensured that he mounted an impressive 86 on the day before being dismissed rather unwittingly to Boult whilst attempting one aggressive shot too many.

3. Shakib and Nurul Hasan add valuable runs

With the skipper out of the side, former captain Shakib-Al-Hasan and Mushfiqur’s deputy Nurul Hasan perhaps were the only ones to provide Sarkar a bit of support as well. However, this proved to simply be a partnership of epic proportions as far as the duo was concerned given the fact that they were simply on the receiving end of the stick for the most part as well. However, as incredible as it was, the fact of the matter remained that Shakib helped himself to 59 while Nurul helped himself to 47, something that helped the visitors amass a score upwards of 200 at the very least.

4. Boult and Southee play the irresistible foes

As has been the case for the most part, it has always been Tim Southee and Trent Boult who have been impressive when it comes to bowling out the opposition on the day. Once again, the right and left handed combo struck as they picked nine wickets among themselves to ensure that the visitors would not get the benefit of the first innings lead as they had done in the previous encounter at Wellington. While it was another five wicket haul for Southee, it was Boult who was able to impress with some spectacular bowling efforts as the Kiwis found inroads in the first session of play itself.

5. Bangladesh bowled out on Day 1

When the final wicket of Kamrul Hasan Rabbi fell on the first day’s play, it was clear that the bowlers of New Zealand had the last laugh as well. The Bangladeshis managed just the 289 runs in the morning session while the fact of the matter remained that this is quintessentially Bangladesh’s second XI as well. While New Zealand required just the few bowlers to complete the job, it was quite clear that the man of the day was Tim Southee with the ball as he claimed five wickets on the morning.