New Zealand v Bangladesh, 1st Test Day 4: 5 Talking Points

In spite of losing a flurry of wickets as well as Tamim Iqbal to injury, it was Bangladesh that concluded day four with their noses barely in front having been terrific in a Test match that has been quite a pleasure to watch indeed. Tom Latham however, was in fine touch in the encounter given the fact that he inched ever so close to completing an incredible double century. He was eventually denuded of completing the same as he was snapped up by Shakib Al Hasan.

Another player denuded of a well-deserved half-century was BJ Watling who played ever so well to ensure that the Kiwis were out of the woods. Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner then went ahead and helped themselves to half-centuries as the Kiwis closed in on the lead. However, some persistent bowling from the visitors ensured that they had their noses in front at the close of play.

1. Tom Latham inches towards double

Tom Latham was perhaps the most impressive batsman on the third day’s play at Wellington. The southpaw went ahead and slammed the ball to different parts of the ground and did it as elegantly as ever. His cover drives and cuts and pulls ensured that they found themselves to the fence at will. He looked set for a double century, the second of the match and ironically, another left-handed batsman who would go on to smash another double. However, it was the man who scored the double that eventually had his number as he dismissed Latham leg before as the latter had to stroll away 23 runs adrift of his well-deserved double-ton.

2. Santner; Nicholls and Watling add valuable runs

Mitchell Santner has blossomed into perhaps the ideal spin bowling all-rounder the New Zealand cricket management has yearned for in recent times. Santner batted with most of the tail as he helped himself to an impressive 73 while batting with wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling. The latter himself slammed an impressive 49 as well. Henry Nicholls, who came into bat late in the day on the third day helped himself to an impressive 53, to say the least.

3. Bangladesh openers give Bangladesh a solid start

The Bangladesh opening pair of Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes once again gave the Bangladeshis the start they wanted on the morning. They had done the same in the first innings and were going to do the same The duo added 46 for the first wicket before Kayes was stretchered off following a hip problem.

4. Imrul Kayes hobbles off

Imrul Kayes has become the latest to join in the ever-growing injury list of the Bangladesh touring party with an injury to hi left hip. After amassing 24 of the 46 runs on the board, Kayes was stretchered off, taking the sympathy of one and all as he went away. While it remains to be seen if he comes back to have a bat or not, Kayes’ hip injury and inability to walk will put a strain on the batsmen to follow.

5. Mehedi Hasan run out by Wagner in extraordinary circumstances

The conclusion of the day’s play saw night watchman Mehedi Hasan run out in perhaps the most incredible of circumstances towards the close of play. It was some fantastic teamwork from the likes of Neil Wagner and Mitchell Santner as they eventually ensured that the wicket would indeed fall with Santner nailing the stumps with absolute pinpoint accuracy