Day 3rd of 2nd Test between Bangladesh and Black Caps washed out

Bangladesh`s final tour match in New Zealand has been reduced to a four-day test after showers prevented any play on the third day of the second test at Christchurch`s Hagley Oval on Sunday.

Although the tourists` team bus was parked at the venue, Bangladeshi players never ventured onto the middle as overnight rain intensified, forcing match officials to officially call stumps at 4pm.

The forecast is looking significantly better for days four and five, with overcast but dry conditions expected for Monday and mostly clear conditions to follow on Tuesday.

However, with rain expected to persist until shortly before sunrise on Monday, a delayed start is still likely. Rain first intervened to curtail the final session on Saturday as the Black Caps were at risk of conceding a first innings deficit at 260-7 in reply to Bangladesh`s 289 on Friday`s opening day.

When the test resumes, barring a declaration, Henry Nicholls attempts to add to his 56 - his fourth test half century followed on from his 53 in the first innings at the Basin Reserve last week. Tim Southee will be alongside on four.

Only 71 overs were delivered on Saturday and with at least another 90 lost on Sunday, a draw shapes as the probable outcome, though the same scenario was predicted after Bangladesh amassed 595-8 batting first in the rain-affected first test in Wellington.

The Black Caps memorably got within range of Bangladesh`s highest test innings, dismissed the visitors cheaply on the final day and raced to a comfortable seven-wicket victory.

History also suggests a winner at the ground, with the three previous tests being claimed by New Zealand (twice) and Australia - the Black Caps most recent triumph at Hagley Oval was against Pakistan in November after no play was possible on the first day.

Only a handful of optimistic fans sporting waterproof clothing were evident on the bank around the scheduled 10.37am start time but soon conceded defeat.

Ground staff made intermittent trips to the wicket block to sweep water from the covers to prevent a build-up.
Black Caps coaching staff were at the ground but the players stayed in the team hotel.

Source: stuff.co.nz