Due to persistent rain, the game of the first day of Bangladesh’s Wellington Test against New Zealand has been called off.
The day has been washed out without any ball was bowled, and even the toss was not held.
However, Steve Rhodes, Bangladesh’s head coach taken the rainy day as an opportunity to take extra rest and freshen up for the players.
“A lot of rain and wind. I think it is an opportunity for the guys to take rest and freshen up for the next day,” Rhodes said while talking to the media.
Earlier in the first Test of three-match series in Hamilton, Bangladesh suffered a big loss by an innings and 52 runs. The touring side were far behind of the hosts both in bowling and batting in the first Test.
Despite the brave centuries from Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah Riyad in Hamilton, Bangladesh accumulated 429 in their second innings, which was 52 runs short of the first innings of New Zealand. The hosts posted a record 715 in their only innings of the match. New Zealand have never posted a Test innings more than 700-runs.
Tamim Iqbal was the only Bangladeshi batsman to show his batting ability against the quality pace attack of New Zealand registering his ninth Test ton. Barring him, none of the Bangladesh batsmen appeared equipped well against pace attack which was offered to them.
Heading into the second Test of the series, Bangladesh are now facing the challenge of bouncing back. They have to show a firm display, especially in the bowling department.
Bangladesh’s pace attack was comprised of three fledgelings-- Abu Jayed Rahi, Khaled Ahmed and the debutant Ebadat Hossain -- who suffered a lot against the Kane Williamson-led New Zealand. Soumya Sarkar, the fourth pacer of the Tigers, took two wickets in the first match to become the best bowler of Bangladesh.
