New Zealand Make Good Start In Pursuit Of 317

New Zealand Make Good Start In Pursuit Of 317

Aaron Redmond (left) and Jamie How in action at the start of New Zealand's run chase.

©REUTERS/andrew Biraj (BANGLADESH) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Bangladesh 245 (Mehrab Hossain jr. 83) & 242 (Shakib Al Hasan 71) v
New Zealand 171 (Vettori 55no, Shakib Al Hasan 7-36) & 145-2
Scorecard
1st Test, Chittagong, tea on day four

New Zealand made a good start to their fourth innings pursuit of 317 to beat Bangladesh in the opening Test in Chittagong, reaching stumps on day four on 145 for two.

Jamie How was the first man to fall, bowled by Abdur Razzak for 36 after Bangladesh turned to spin quickly, although thereafter they were frustrated for a long time by Aaron Redmond, unbeaten on 62 and Jesse Ryder, who made 38.

Razzak, Shakib Al Hasan, who took seven wickets and hit 71 earlier in the match, Mehrab Hossain junior, Naeem Islam and captain Mohammad Ashraful have all turned their arm over in the innings so far after new ball bowlers Mashrafe Moraza (three overs) and Shahadat Hossain (five) were quickly out of the attack.

Redmond and Ryder put on 90 for the second wicket before Ryder was run out by Mortaza with 15 balls left in the day. Redmond's maiden Test half-century came from 135 balls and his innings included eight fours while Ryder, renowned for his explosive limited overs batting, reigned himself in to score 38 from 101 balls with four fours.

Captain Daniel Vettori was unbeaten on nought overnight, having assumed the nightwatchman role, although after top scoring in the first innings, it might as well be a genuine promotion given New Zealand's recent middle order struggles.

Mortaza had earlier stretched Bangladesh's lead past 300 with a useful innings of 44 and was well supported by Razzak, who made 18.

© Cricket World 2008