Every News: BD fight against history to end NZ juggernaut

BD fight against history to end NZ juggernaut
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WELLINGTON: Bangladesh have never won a Test in New Zealand but now have to win two in a row, starting with the second Test in Wellington from Friday (today).Bangladesh’s problems have been laid bare after the Hamilton defeat. They have the potential, but not the intent. Their batsmen have all the shots, but play too many of them. Too often, they try to hit their way out.It gave them 429 second-innings runs, but on a surface that had lost a lot of its sting. When it is fresh and full of venom, as it was in the first innings, it’s hard to expect more than the 234 they managed after being asked to bat.Their batsmen at least put on a show: Bangladesh had three centurions in Hamilton and Tamim Iqbal scored 200 runs in the Test. But what of the bowling?Between them, their three pacers picked up one wicket for 359 runs despite getting a go at New Zealand on the first day, when conditions are as ripe as they get. By contrast, New Zealand’s pacers picked up all 20 wickets. Courtney Walsh has urged patience with Bangladesh’s fast bowlers, but with both remaining Tests now must-win, they’ll have to make amends quickly.Bangladesh’s main strength is spin. Spinners pull the bulk of the weight irrespective of conditions. But Mehidy Hasan, their premier spinner, returned the worst figures for a Bangladesh bowler in a Test innings.They couldn’t keep it together in the field either, dropping Tom Latham before he had made a run, Kane Williamson on 81 and Colin de Grandhomme on 43. It cost Bangladesh 313 runs. That’s about 44% of the runs New Zealand wound up making.New Zealand are unstoppable. They are coming off an innings win and the highest total in their Test history.Williamson is a monster on the threshold of displacing Virat Kohli as the No. 1 batsman on the ICC Test Batting Rankings. Tom Latham is in the best phase of his career. The middle order is overflowing with runs, and if somehow Bangladesh find a way past that, there’s de Grandhomme ever-ready to thrash worn down attacks.On the bowling front, Neil Wagner delivers short balls like a bowling machine that is programmed to do so all day. Tim Southee swings the ball like he doesn’t understand the meaning of straight lines. And Trent Boult keeps batsmen forever wide-eyed with searing pace and inch-perfect lengths.Bangladesh have lost all the eight Tests they have played in New Zealand. Now, they have to win two in a row. It’s a tall ask against a team that hasn’t lost a home series in two years.