CHRISTCHURCH - New Zealand ended the second day of the Christchurch Test firmly in control thanks to Tom Latham’s historic innings, along with a brilliant opening spell by Trent Boult and Tim Southee. 

Bangladesh were bowled out for 126 by the end of the day – trailing New Zealand’s 521/6 by a mammoth 395 – with Boult going past the milestone of 300 Test wickets with his 5/35. New Zealand resumed on the second morning on 349/1, with Devon Conway bringing up his third century in only his fifth Test match. Captain Tom Latham brought up his double century at the other end, as New Zealand continued their domination in the first session. 

Conway was eventually run out for 109, ending a 215-run part­nership with Latham. In walked Ross Taylor to a standing ovation and a guard of honour, the vet­eran playing his final Test. Taylor cracked four fours during his 39-ball stay, as New Zealand looked to up the ante. That meant the wickets flowed as well, and Ban­gladesh picked up four in the first session, including that of Taylor’s. 

The Black Caps picked up the scoring rate after Lunch. Latham was the aggressor, and eventu­ally got out for 252, the highest individual score at the Hagley Oval. New Zealand declared at 521/7, but not before wicket­keeper Tom Blundell joined the party and scored a quickfire 57* off just 60 balls. 

Bangladesh were looking to build on their historic Test win at Mount Maunganui but Boult and Southee came out firing, claiming four wickets before Tea to leave the visitors struggling at 27/4. Boult picked up his third wicket of the first innings shortly after the break, inducing an edge from Liton Das for nought.

From 27/5, Bangladesh found some fight in Yasir Ali (38*) and Nurul Hasan (41). The two stead­ied the ship with a 60-run part­nership for the sixth wicket before Southee got the crucial wicket of Nurul, trapping in front. Boult then returned for another spell, and soon had Mehidy cleaned up for his 300th Test scalp – he became just the fourth New Zea­lander to take 300 Test wickets, after Richard Hadlee, Daniel Vet­tori, and Southee. The rest of the Bangladesh line-up crumbled, and the visitors now face a huge task to stay alive on the third day.

SCORES IN BRIEF

BANGLADESH 126 (Yasir 55, Nurul 41, Boult 5-43, Southee 3-28) trail NEW ZEALAND 521 for 6 dec (Latham 252, Conway 109, Blundell 57*, Shoriful 2-79) by 395 runs.