Taylor misses record as visitors strike
Ross Taylor acknowledged two cricketing milestones at Hagley Oval yesterday, yet another cherished achievement remains elusive as a depleted Bangladesh stay committed to closing their tour with a historic victory on New Zealand soil.
The Black Caps’ elder statesmen departed to a polite applause late in the middle session of day two of the second test in Christchurch, 23 runs short of converting his 27th half century into a hundred to match mentor Martin Crowe.
Two runs after he was dropped in the deep – one of four dropped catches that undermined a determined bowling effort from the Bangladeshis – Taylor’s innings ended in anticlimax when third umpire Marais Erasmus judged substitute fielder Taijul Islam had taken a legitimate catch at midwicket and not a bump ball.
That leaves the second innings of an another unexpectedly competitive test – and three against South Africa in March – as his next opportunities to equal and then overtake the master batsman.
Until then, Taylor has to be content with another test half-century and then becoming just the third New Zealander to amass 6000 test runs, when he advanced to 63.
The 32-year-old joins Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum in that club after shrugging off a cautious start to showcase his full array of strokes – including the innings’ only sixes until Henry Nicholls, who is unbeaten on 56, also cleared the ropes.
Taylor started batting in his 80th test with personal acclaim a secondary concern after the Black Caps were reduced to 47-2 by Kamrul Islam’s opening over.
And when showers curtailed play with 17 overs remaining the hosts were in difficulty again after Shakib al Hasan trapped Mitchell Santer lbw before bowling BJ Watling (1) and Colin de Grandhomme (0) – within the space of four runs – to have the Black Caps taking cover at 260-7, a deficit of 29. All-rounder Shakib’s spinning prowess compensated for shoddy catching and a waste of both DRS referrals and left the match evenly poised, perhaps even tilting towards the underdogs.
‘‘The first hour tomorrow morning is going to be crucial for both teams, we’ve got Henry Nicholls in there on 50-odd and batting really nice,’’ said opener Tom Latham, who shared a 106-run stand for the third wicket with Taylor. ‘‘If we can build some partnerships with the tail hopefully we can put the momentum back in our favour.’’
Backing up from a career-best 177 at the Basin Reserve and a 137-run ODI personal best in his previous knock on his home ground, Latham was pleased to negotiate a challenging morning session which included a blow to the helmet by a Rubel Hossain bouncer.
‘‘They didn’t really give us anything to hit and we struggled to rotate the strike. For us to get through that tough time and put pressure back on them after lunch was good,’’ he said.
But Latham was less impressed with the loose stroke that spiked his contribution on 68 (111 balls) and
he swung the bat in anger after Nurul Hasan gloved a straightforward catch.
Bangladesh were also frustrated despite Kamrul Islam removing Jeet Raval and Kane Williamson a couple of deliveries later for two before drinks.
Raval was unable to capitalise on two dropped catches while debutant wicketkeeper Nurul’s first victim was a memorable one – spectators who braved chilly conditions were stunned as Williamson produced his shortest innings since a two-ball duck 18 tests ago at Lord’s in May, 2015.
Once Taylor and Latham steadied the innings, Nicholls, who was dropped at silly point on 19, and Santner (29) added 75 for the fifth wicket before the latter’s dismissal proved the catalyst for a worrying slide.
Santner was rapped on the back pad and called for a review after Paul Reiffel raised the finger but the Australian’s decision was upheld because ball tracker technology was not available.
Latham downplayed the significance of the glitch reckoning it would not have saved Santner; there was nothing inconclusive about Watling chopping on and de Grandhomme losing his off stump three balls later to leave Shakib with 3-32 from seven overs.
‘‘Shakib’s three wickets changed the momentum. He’s great bowler. He can do anything on any wicket,’’ enthused pace bowler Taskin Ahmed, before sounding a note of caution and refusing to predict a drought-breaking triumph.
‘‘We are pretty happy, but they still have three wickets and there is an innings to go.’’
Ominously, rain is also forecast to take time out of the test today.
❏ Pakistan have received a huge boost ahead of their must-win ODI clash against Australia in Sydney, with skipper Azhar Ali set to return from a hamstring injury, AAP reports.
Ali has easily been Pakistan’s best batsman of the tour, highlighted by his unbeaten 205 in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
After undergoing a fitness test at the SCG yesterday afternoon, the 31-year- old is expected to slot back into the line-up today after missing the last two matches. Asad Shafiq is the man most likely to make way.