Rain washes out second day of BD-NZ 2nd Test

Tigers coach Rhodes, NZ batting coach McMillan still optimistic about a result

March 10, 2019 00:00:00

Bangladesh's players playing with a ball as they wait for a decision on play due to the weather on day two of the second Test match against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Saturday — AFP

WELLINGTON, Mar 09 (Agencies): Rain delayed the start of the second Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh in Wellington for the second consecutive day on Saturday.

The downpour which had persisted for a day and a half stopped long enough on day two for the covers to be lifted and for the players to start warming up.

But as the umpires conducted a pitch inspection, about an hour before an expected start, the drizzle returned, reducing the match to three days at best.

A result in three days is not unheard of in New Zealand.

New Zealand lead the series after taking the first Test in Hamilton by an innings and 52 runs. The third and final Test starts in Christchurch next Saturday.

Meanwhile, rain has washed away the first two days of the second Test of three-match series between Bangladesh and New Zealand. But Tigers head coach Steve Rhodes believes that it is possible to get a result in the remaining three days at Wellington.

"I think cricket is a strange game," Rhodes told the media on Saturday. "We saw a lot of two days and three days games. So, there is still a good chance of result (in this game). But let us see how the weather remains tomorrow."

Rhodes said the situation "is very frustrating" for both teams. There was a chance to play for 40 minutes but both teams decided not to.

"Maybe at a certain point of time, the umpires felt that with 40 minutes of play it is certainly going to be unfair to one of the teams. So, they decided to start again tomorrow, and I think that was the right call," he said.

New Zealand are leading the series 1-0. In the first Test, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult bowled superbly, and Kane Williamson hit his second Test double-ton.

Meanwhile, New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan said on Saturday it is still possible the second test against Bangladesh will produce a result despite rain preventing any play on the first two days at the Basin Reserve.

The forecast for today (Sunday) does not look any better with further showers expected throughout the third day, with fine weather not due until Monday afternoon.

"There's still plenty of time. Three days is a long time and we've seen a lot of test matches finish in that period," McMillan told reporters on Saturday.