New Zealand take control
hamilton — New Zealand’s first innings record 715 for six, including a double century from skipper Kane Williamson, put them in total control of the first Test against Bangladesh after three days on Saturday.
The hosts breached the 700 barrier for the first time on their way to building a 481 run lead and were six wickets away from the win by stumps.
Bangladesh were 174 for four in the second innings, still 307 behind and with their last two recognised batsmen at the crease.
“Obviously that was historic,” batting coach Craig McMillan said.
“The contributions throughout the innings make it a very special one,” he added, describing Williamson’s unbeaten 200 as “sublime”.
Williamson declared the innings when he reached the 200 milestone for the second time in his career.
On an explosive day of batting, with a total of 438 runs scored, Tamim Iqbal gave Bangladesh a flying start to their reply as they raced to 88 without loss.
But once Neil Wagner’s relentless barrage of bouncers captured the wicket of Shadman Iqbal for 37, the visitors soon stood at 126 for four.
The opener ducked under a Tim Southee bouncer but left his bat held high with the ball ricocheting off the periscope and into the gloves of BJ Watling.
Soumya Sarkar on 39 with Mahmudullah on 15 held the innings together for 13 overs through to stumps. New Zealand skipper Williamson resumed the day on 93 and calmly worked his way to his 20th century — the most ever by a New Zealander — and passed 6,000 Test runs faster and with a better average than any of his countrymen.