Latham, Raval hit ton as NZ take 217-run lead on day 2

Openers Tom Latham and Jeet Raval scored centuries as New Zealand took a massive 217-run first innings lead over Bangladesh maintaining their domination on the second day of the first Test in Hamilton on Friday.

Latham, who was dropped second ball on the first evening, put on 254 runs for the opening stand, the Black Caps’ third highest of all-time and their highest since 1972, after New Zealand resumed their first innings on the second day with overnight score at 86 for no loss, reports BSS.

It was also the third highest opening stand against the Tigers and the third double-hundred opening stand against them since 2015.

Opener Raval ended a record barren run by completing his maiden Test ton and went on to 132 before he was the first wicket to fall on the second day.

His marathon innings studded with 19 boundaries and one over boundary before he skied an attempted slog-sweep to Khaled Ahmed at mid-wicket off captain Mahmudullah’s delivery.

For 68 overs they caressed the ball to all points of the boundary and looked extremely comfortable against the Tigers’ bowling attacks.

Raval went into his 17th Test holding the New Zealand record for the most fifties (eight) without reaching a hundred.

But he held his nerve after passing his previous best — 88 on the same ground against South Africa two years ago — and was able to raise his bat when back-to-back fours off Ebadat Hossain took him from 93 to 101.

Another opener Latham, who had been dropped without scoring, brought up his latest century with a top edge off Abu Jayed that raced to the fine leg boundary.

It is the fourth time he has passed the 150 mark and he has also reached 3,000 career Test runs in the course of his innings.

However his marathon innings finally stopped by Soumya Sarkar, who dropped a simple slip catch at the start of the New Zealand innings, allowing Latham to compile his giant score.

Latham left that shot alone for another 246 deliveries before he poked at a wide delivery from Soumya and this time diving Mohammad Mithun ensured his dismissal — also behind the wicket.

To add salt to the wound New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson added a further 125 runs in the third session before stumps were called on for second day.

Williamson was remained unbeaten with 93 and he and heading for hundred in New Zealand’s first innings as the third batsman. The Black Caps skipper paired 100 runs with Henry Nicholls for the fourth wicket stand before spinner Mehedy Hasan Miraz broke the partnership removing Nicholls for 53 runs in the afternoon.

Part time bowler Soumya Sarkar was the most successful bowler as he claimed two New Zealand’s wickets conceding 57 runs.

Bangladesh 1st innings – 234 for all in 59.2 overs, Tamim 126, Liton 29, Shadman 24, Wagner 5/47, Southee 3/76, Grandhomme 1/39.

New Zealand 1st innings – 451 for 4 in 118 overs, Latham 161, Raval 132, Kane Williamson 93 batting, Nicholls 53 batting, Soumya 2/57.