Taylor hails Bangladesh as surprise draw looms
Ross Taylor can see clearly now, and this Bangladesh touring team look like a proper test cricket side.
A rejuvenated Taylor hailed an ‘‘outstanding’’ show from the tourists who again led from the front on day three of the first test, which looks headed for a draw after Tom Latham’s unbeaten 119 kept New Zealand afloat.
Rated $18 outsiders by betting agencies with a record of three wins from 43 away tests, and coming off six successive defeats in the Twenty20 and one-day international series, it looked as bleak as Thursday’s Wellington weather for the tourists when they lost the toss.
But after plundering their country’s second-highest test score of 595-8, including a record knock of 217 by Shakib Al Hasan and record stand of 359 between him and Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh took their biggest offshore leap since their strong showing at the 2015 World Cup.
‘‘I think it’s outstanding. I don’t think they’ve played enough international cricket overseas to get that experience. The more they play overseas the better they’re going to get,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘The one-day and Twenty20 series was a lot closer than it looked. They were missing the skipper [Mushfiqur] and he’s showed the class he has in the middle order. The team rely heavily on him and if he had been batting in some of those situations during those one-dayers and T20s it could have been a different story.
‘‘Shakib has been world class for a while and the young spinner [the 19-year-old Mehedi Hasan] did well. We didn’t expect him to open today. This is not an easy place to come and bowl. He went under the run rate of most of the bowlers. It all bodes well for Bangladesh cricket. Their quick bowlers would have enjoyed those conditions and the more they play outside their country the better they’ll get.’’
The Black Caps will resume on day four on 292-3, still 104 short of avoiding the follow-on but in reasonable shape after Latham’s sixth test century anchored their reply. If the Black Caps had folded on a dream Basin Reserve batting surface there would have been serious questions asked, and Latham did the job against a handy, inexperienced Bangladesh attack who were led by the slingy Kamrul Islam and buffeted by the Saturday gale.
At just 24, Latham’s six centuries from 28 tests rank him third behind John Wright (12) and Glenn Turner (7) on the New Zealand openers’ charts.
‘‘For a while, apart from Mark Richardson, we’ve been to-ing and fro-ing with a lot of openers. Tom put his hand up and he’s one of the first picked. In our conditions an opener and a No 3 are very important. We have a world-class No 3 in Kane Williamson and we’ve got a consistent opener in Tom Latham,’’ Taylor said. The more they play overseas the better they’re going to get.
‘‘He’s still young but he’s earning his stripes in the team and he batted outstandingly well. We need him to carry on again and get a big score. I’m not sure what his personal best is, but it’d be good to get that and carry on.’’
Latham’s best of 137 is easily within reach, and with rain forecast and the pitch showing little sign of breaking up, Taylor felt a draw was highly likely to set up a decider in Christchurch next week. ‘‘That first session is going to be important and if we can see off that new ball and pass the follow on, there’s a little bit of weather around.’’
As for his own form since undergoing eye surgery, Taylor was happy with how he played but not how he got out in search of a record-equalling 17th test century. He looked in brilliant nick with feet moving and bat straight, as he hit 40 off 51 balls before an aerial pull shot ended a breezy innings.
‘‘I feel a bit more confident. At the start of my innings in the last couple of years I’ve struggled. Just waiting to bat, [I’ve been] trying to stand up and walk around and try to adjust to the light as quick as possible.
‘‘Today and last few tests is as good as I’ve felt at start of my innings.’’