New Zealand’s first-innings record 715-6, including a double century from skipper Kane Williamson, put them in total control of the first Test against Bangladesh after day 3 yesterday.
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 victory by stumps.
Bangladesh were 174-4 in their second innings, still 307 behind and with their last two recognized batsmen at the crease.
Photo: AFP
“Obviously that was historic,” New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan said after play finished for the day.
“The contributions throughout the innings make it a very special one,” he said, 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.
However, once Neil Wagner’s relentless barrage of bouncers captured the wicket of Shadman Iqbal for 37, the visitors soon stood at 126-4.
Mominul Haque and Mohammad Mithun barely registered, and Tamim was caught behind for 76.
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 B.J. Watling.
Soumya Sarkar on 39 with Mahmudullah on 15 held the innings together for 13 overs through to stumps.
Williamson resumed the day on 93 and calmly worked his way to his 20th century — the most ever by a New Zealand player — and passed 6,000 Test runs faster and with a better average than any of his countrymen.
At the other end, Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme pounded the bowling as New Zealand piled on 264 runs from 45 overs and went 25 runs past their previous record of 690 against Pakistan in 2014.
Mehidy Hasan bagged two wickets, but bore the brunt of the assault, finishing with his side’s most-expensive Test figures ever of 2-246 from 49 overs. Pre-lunch, Williamson was content to take a backseat as nightwatchman Wagner blazed away for 47 runs — 42 from boundaries — in their 60-run stand.
It was Ebadat Hossain, on debut, who made the breakthrough with his first Test wicket to deny Wagner his maiden 50 when he shaved the edge of the bat, with wicketkeeper Liton Das completing the dismissal.
Big-hitting De Grandhomme took New Zealand past their previous record score with a huge six, one of five in his whirlwind innings of 76 not out.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely