DHAKA, March 2, 2019 (BSS) – Skipper Kane Williamson’s scored double ton as
New Zealand declared their first innings at 715 for 6 in the first Test
against Bangladesh on Saturday.
The Black Caps skipper Williamson was remained unbeaten on 200 as the hosts
took a massive 481-run first innings lead when they called the innings off
midway through day three at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Hard-hitting Colin de Grandhomme took New Zealand past their previous
record score — 690 against Pakistan in 2014 — with a huge six, one of five
in his tornado innings of unbeaten 76.
In a session and a half on day three, New Zealand smacked 264 off 45 overs
with Williamson becoming the first Black Caps to post 20 centuries. It was
his second highest score behind an unbeaten 242 against Sri Lanka in 2015.
It is only the 13th time in the history of Test cricket and the second time
by Black Caps that the first three batsmen have scored centuries in the same
innings.
The only other top three New Zealand batsmen scored centuries in the same
innings were Mark Richardson (145), Lou Vincent (106) and Scott Styris (119)
against India at Chandigarh in 2003.
South Africa scored three centuries at the top of the innings against
Bangladesh at Bloemfontein in October 2017 as India did in Dhaka in 2007.
But for the Tigers, it is the third time they have been on the receiving
end.
For Williamson it has been an innings of milestones as the Black Caps
skipper became the first batsman to score 20 Test centuries for his country.
In the course of his 71st Test, he has also joined 6,000 runs club,
becoming the fourth and fastest New Zealander to do so and with the best
average of 52.79 after he resumed the third day on 93 and was content to take
a back seat while Neil Wagner pushed the score to a 60-run stand for the
fourth wicket partnership.
Wagner, who claimed five wickets in the Bangladesh’s first innings,
finished with his Test-best 47 of which 42 runs came from boundaries — six
fours and three sixes. His blistering innings finally came to an end when he
was caught behind to give Ebadat Hossain his first Test wicket.
After Bangladesh were bundled out for 234 in their first innings, the hosts
batsmen pounded the bowling for two days.
Openers Tom Latham and Jeet Raval set the platform from the front when they
added a 254-run opening stand.
When resuming day three at 451 for four, Williamson was content to take a
backseat as night watchman Neil Wagner blazed away contributing 47 runs — 42
from boundaries — in their 60-run stand.
New Zealand scored 154 before lunch and with de Grandhomme in the middle to
liven up proceedings with Williamson after lunch they blasted another 110 in
15 overs before declaring.
Soumya Sarkar was the pick of Bangladesh bowler taking two for 68, while
Mehidy Hasan also took two wickets but proved as most expensive Test bowling
figures in New Zealand with two for 246 from 49 overs.