Published: Jan 22, 2017, 01:36 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 22, 2017, 01:37 PM (IST)
After rain tormented Day Three, both teams would be eager to go out and pull the game in their court on Day Four. Not a single ball was bowled on Day Three after it rained through morning, afternoon and even the evening session eventually calling the day off. The weather forecast has predicted favourable conditions on the last 2 days of the game which should be a good prospect for this Test which is nicely poised at the moment. With 17 wickets falling over the first two days, there was still a fair chance of the Test ending in a decisive result, given better weather on days four and five.
At stumps on day two, New Zealand were trailing Bangladesh‘s first-innings total of 289 by 29 runs, with three wickets in hand, having lost three quick wickets to Shakib Al Hasan‘s left-arm spin. Bangladesh will have their confidence boasted due to the command they received in the ending stages of Day Two. Those three wickets of Mitchell Santner (29), BJ Watling (1) and Colin de Grandhomme (0) have pulled the game back in equilibrium. It remains to be seen if Kane Williamson will give an overnight declaration as they trail Bangladesh by 29 runs. If they do declare their first innings, they might go all guns blazing against Bangladesh batsmen and try winding up their innings as quickly as they can, just like they did in the first Test.
Live Cricket Scorecard: Bangladesh vs New Zealand, 2nd Test Christchurch
If they get quick wickets and rectify their fielding mistakes which they did in the first innings, New Zealand will definitely have the upper hand in this second and final game of the series.
As for Bangladesh, they had their chances in the past two days to attain domination. But it was their inconsistency factor that surged and had them lose the grip. Be it their bowling, fielding or batting, they have shown the knack of letting go off the game in no time.
Also what will be important to see is how the wicket behaves now for the next two days having pounded in the torrential rain. Bangladesh have two quality spinners at their service in the form of Shakib and Mehedi Hasan who have the ability to uproot the opposition on their day. Same can be said about Santner who may just have the upper hand if conditions favour his bowling. With two days of game left keeping in mind the way first two days panned out for both teams, we are definitely in for a cracker of a game.
Brief scores
Bangladesh 289 (Soumya Sarkar 86, Shakib Al Hasan 59; Tim Southee 5 for 94) lead New Zealand 260 for 7 (Ross Taylor 77, Tom Latham 68, Henry Nicholls 56*; Shakib Al Hasan 3 for 32) by 29 runs
