Bangladesh (Commonwealth) _ On the second day of the first Test match between New Zealand and Bangladesh, captain Kane Williamson scored a magnificent century on a sluggish track at Sylhet.
With his 29th century in Test cricket, Williamson drew level with Sir Donald Bradman and Virat Kohli. Up to the end of play on day two, the captain was the only New Zealand player to score fifty or more in an innings.
After Taijul Islam removed Tom Latham in the 13th over, he entered the field and received helpful backing from Daryl Mitchell after Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls went for less than 20. Williamson reached his fifty runs off seventy-five balls, batting at a faster clip than normal due to significant spinner turn-over.
Just before the tea break, in the 49th over, Taijul put him down off Nayeen Hasan at mid-wicket, and he survived a missed catch. Nayeem gave the hitter on 70 an additional opportunity, but the Bangladeshi defender mishandled the catch, giving the New Zealand batter an extra life.
Also Read:
ANOTHER CRICKETER TURNS TO POLITICS AND RECEIVES AN AL TICKET TO CONTEST THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
INDIA DEFEATS NEW ZEALAND TO ADVANCE TO ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP FINAL
HIGH-SCORING WORLD CUP THRILLER…
Williamson reached his hundred after Glenn Phillips relieved him of some of the burden at the other end. However, he was bowled for 104 by Taijul Islam shortly after. Williamson’s century made him the first batter from New Zealand to reach the century mark in four straight Tests.
Highlights of the New Zealand captain’s batting came when he hit 95 runs in his side’s comeback against Pakistan at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Williamson had struck 132 against England in Wellington earlier in the year, and in back-to-back Tests in Christchurch and Wellington, he added 121* and 215 against Sri Lanka. Williamson equaled the records of Matthew Hayden, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and a few others with this hundred and his fourth straight four-ball century.
Bradman holds the record, having scored hundreds in six straight Test matches between 1937 and 1938. With a day total of 266/8 and a 44-run deficit against Bangladesh, New Zealand faces a challenging fourth-inning chase on a wicket that is becoming more difficult to bat on.
Williamson hit his century from 189 balls on a pitch that was challenging for the hitters. Despite his century, New Zealand was still behind Bangladesh by 44 runs in the first innings at 266 for 8 at the end of Day 2. In the 81st over, Taijul Islam ultimately dismissed Williamson for 104. 11 boundaries were scored by him throughout his knock.
Earlier in the day, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque both scored 37 runs, while opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy hit 86 to help Bangladesh be bowled out for 310 in 85.1 overs. For New Zealand, all-rounder Glenn Phillips claimed four wickets, while Ajaz Patel and Kyle Jamieson both claimed two.
With their overnight score of 310, the hosts, Bangladesh, started the second day with a 310 total. New Zealand quickly ended the innings by removing the final batsman of Bangladesh with the opening delivery of the day. After that, the Kiwis began their first innings, which was a roller coaster as the openers showed promise but were quickly removed from the game.
With a brilliant inning that highlighted his class, Kane Williamson led alliances with Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, and Henry Nicholls. At the end of the day, New Zealand was behind Bangladesh by 44 runs, having lost 8 wickets. As Tim Southee, the captain, and Kyle Jamieson get ready to continue batting on the third day
Throughout the day, Bangladesh’s bowlers were outstanding; Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan, and Nayeem Hasan, the spin three, made significant strides, and Shoriful Islam set the tone.
