Latham, Raval tons deflate Bangla

Hamilton, March 1 

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Opener Jeet Raval struck his maiden Test century, while Tom Latham posted his third 150-plus score in three matches as New Zealand seized total control of the first Test against Bangladesh.

The hosts were 451/4 at stumps on the second day at Seddon Park with captain Kane Williamson on 93 and nightwatchman Neil Wagner (1*), having built an imposing 217-run first innings lead. Bangladesh had been dismissed in the final session on Day 1 for 234, with Tamim Iqbal scoring an aggressive 126. Wagner was the pick of New Zealand’s bowlers with 5/47.

Raval and Latham had resumed on Friday on 86/0 and continued to grind down the Bangladeshi bowlers through the morning session. Raval and Latham put on 254 for the first wicket, the third-highest opening partnership for New Zealand against any opposition. Williamson brought up his 30th Test half-century with a punch to deep point for a single in the final session and appeared to be on course to join Raval and Latham with a century.

Brief Scores: Bangla: 234 all out in 59.2 overs (Tamim Iqbal 126, Liton Das 29; N Wagner 5/47); New Zealand: 451/4 in 118 overs (J Raval 132, T Latham 161; Soumya Sarkar 2/57). — Reuters