Bell puts NZ ahead
Saturday, 5 January 2008
DUNEDIN, JAN 4 (AP): Opening batsman Matthew Bell marked his return to test cricket after a six-year absence with an unbeaten 74 Friday, giving New Zealand a first-innings lead over Bangladesh on the first day of the first test.
Bangladesh, sent in to bat after losing the toss, was dismissed for 137 in less than two sessions but fought back to have New Zealand 156 for four at stumps, a lead of 19 runs overall. Bell, in his 14th test match and his first since the 2001-2002 season, batted three hours for his third test half century to hold together the fraying New Zealand innings and to give the home side hope of a dominant position on the second day. Earlier, Chris Martin took four wickets for 64 runs as New Zealand exploited bowler-friendly conditions to dismiss Bangladesh in only 46.1 overs.
Jacob Oram took three for 23 and Kyle Mills two for 29 to end the Bangladesh innings before tea and to maintain New Zealand's ascendancy in tests between the nations.
Friday's test was the 50th in Bangladesh's short but checkered history. Of its 43 defeats - it has drawn five matches and won one - four have been at the hands New Zealand and all by a margin of an innings.
Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal - one of three new caps in the Bangladesh lineup - stood alone against the New Zealand bowlers, batting almost three hours for a half century. His 53 was supported only by an innings of 23 (from 22 balls) from veteran Habibul Bashar and 22 from Mashrafee Mortaza.
New Zealand 156 for 4 (Bell 74*) lead Bangladesh 137 (Tamim 53, Martin 4-64) by 19 runs.
Bangladesh, sent in to bat after losing the toss, was dismissed for 137 in less than two sessions but fought back to have New Zealand 156 for four at stumps, a lead of 19 runs overall. Bell, in his 14th test match and his first since the 2001-2002 season, batted three hours for his third test half century to hold together the fraying New Zealand innings and to give the home side hope of a dominant position on the second day. Earlier, Chris Martin took four wickets for 64 runs as New Zealand exploited bowler-friendly conditions to dismiss Bangladesh in only 46.1 overs.
Jacob Oram took three for 23 and Kyle Mills two for 29 to end the Bangladesh innings before tea and to maintain New Zealand's ascendancy in tests between the nations.
Friday's test was the 50th in Bangladesh's short but checkered history. Of its 43 defeats - it has drawn five matches and won one - four have been at the hands New Zealand and all by a margin of an innings.
Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal - one of three new caps in the Bangladesh lineup - stood alone against the New Zealand bowlers, batting almost three hours for a half century. His 53 was supported only by an innings of 23 (from 22 balls) from veteran Habibul Bashar and 22 from Mashrafee Mortaza.
New Zealand 156 for 4 (Bell 74*) lead Bangladesh 137 (Tamim 53, Martin 4-64) by 19 runs.