14 Jan 2017

Latham scores 100

7:51 pm on 14 January 2017

New Zealand opening batsmen Tom Latham has scored a century on day three of the first Test against Bangladesh in Wellington.

Tom Latham celebrates his century.

Tom Latham celebrates his century. Photo: Photosport

The 24-year-old brought up his sixth Test hundred from 171 deliveries at the Basin Reserve and at stumps on the third day, Latham was 119 not out.

At the other end, Henry Nicholls was nearly caught twice before finishing the evening session unbeaten on 35 with New Zealand 292 for three, trailing by 303 runs.

Look back at day three commentary here.

In the face of a mammoth run chase, Latham produced an innings of great patience and discapline that has so far absorbed 222 deliveries and produced 13 fours.

Tom Latham calls no.

Tom Latham calls no. Photo: Photosport

When the opener raised his helmet to the crowd about an hour of play remained in the evening session in which Ross Taylor was caught at mid-wicket for 40.

Taylor had played aggressively and was going at nearly a run a ball before he was undone by a loose pullshot off the bowling of Kamrul Islam.

Before tea, the New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was caught behind for 53 off 55 deliveries giving Taskin Ahmed his first Test scalp.

Williamson seemed the picture of confidence as he bought up his half century, but was perhaps too intent on scoring from the peach he was served by Taskin.

Two overs before the end of the morning session the other opener, Jeet Raval, also nicked to the keeper for 27.

Raval looked relaxed as he went about his work, but should have left the first ball sent down by slingy pace bowler Kamrul Rabbi.

The short, wide loosener tempted Raval into a half-hearted fiddle that stand-in gloveman Imrul Kayes gladly snaffled behind the stumps.

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson Photo: Photosport

The tourists declared their first innings on 595 for eight an hour and a half before lunch.

After the heroics of double centurion Shakib Al Hasan on day two, the tourists resumed their innings on the third morning at the Basin Reserve on 542 for seven.

Sabbir Rahman (10) and Taskin Ahmed (0) took guard on Saturday and further frustrated the hosts for about an hour before Ahmed was caught at second slip off the bowling of Neil Wagner for three.

Rahman went on to bring up his half century but he (54) and batting partner Kamrul Islam Rabbi (6) were called back to the pavillion by their captain an hour and a half before lunch was due to be taken.

Wagner had the best figures of the New Zealand bowlers with four wickets for 151 runs off 44 overs.

Shakib Al Hasan plays a shot during the Bangladesh v New Zealand Test series

Shakib Al Hasan plays a shot during the Bangladesh v New Zealand Test series, on 13 January in Wellington. Photo: Photosport

Shakib's double tonne on day two placed the tourists firmly in control of the match, with his knock of 217 the highest ever Test score by a Bangladesh cricketer.

He and captain Mushfiqur Rahim also posted the highest ever partnership for Bangladesh - and the fourth-highest worldwide for the fifth wicket - with 359 runs between them.

The partnership was broken when Mushfiqur was caught behind for 159 off the bowling of Trent Boult, about 40 minutes before the end of the day's play.

It was the first wicket in seven hours for the Black Caps, who had had no answers for the pair.

Shakib's superb knock ended six overs later, when he played Wagner onto his stumps.

Wagner then claimed the wicket of Mehedi Hasan Miraz for a duck on the last ball of the day, when Mehedi knicked to Southee in the slips.

Neil Wagner of New Zealand celebrates after getting the wicket of Temba Bavuma of South Africa at Centurion Park, Pretoria on 28 August 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Black Caps bowler Neil Wagner Photo: Photosport

Bangladesh had resumed on 154 for 3 on day two after a rain-disrupted first day, which was called off early due to bad light with just 40.2 overs bowled over the whole day.

Mominul Haque and Shakib returned to the crease, but the former was unable to add to the 64 runs he scored on day one, nicking a Southee delivery to BJ Watling behind the stumps during the fourth over of the day.

But Mominul's replacement, Mushfiqur partnered well with Shakib to steady the innings, and then take firm control of the Test with their record-breaking knock.

Both batsmen reached their half centuries before the lunch break, and it took less than a session for them both to go on to triple figures.

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