Bangladesh v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Mirpir, 6-10 December, 2023

Can the Bangers go 2-0, or will the Sheep respond?

Southee: 5 overs, 5 maidens.

He does have a fairly impressive Test record, but probably never quite scaled the heights expected given his apparent talent as a younger man. As a batsman it’s always seemed that he’s scored less heavily than he might otherwise have done, if less concerned by the number of 6’s he can hit at Test level. Under-achiever in my book; as a talentless player myself I’ve always been a bit annoyed by those who waste their prodigious gifts. Mark Waugh take note …

out obstructing the field, eh...

Bangers struggling at 6-128. Mushfiqur punched a defended ball with his glove when it rebounded nowhere near the stumps.

Brain fade, or JtB?

Kiwis in all sorts of trouble and saved for today by the light

So the Sheep don't handle dust bowls any better than we do.

And the minnow basher made another low score. LOL.

Meanwhile, it's pissing down in Mirpir.

Ground still wet / unplayable early on d3

Phillips (62*) fighting back for the Sheep.

The Bangers have 2 poles today but Sheep are less than 40 behind now.

Bangers effectively 1-13 in their second innings, after the rescue mission from Phillips.

UPDATE: 2-30 (effective) at stumps, with 2 days potentially available. Rain and light have been big issues.

Game is all square.

A Phillips 87 allowed the Sheep to get an 8 run lead, and the Bangers are 2-38 when bad light arrived.

Ah, I see that's NTR.

Sheep need just 137 to win.

Won't be easy. Much rests on KW.

… or Latham

Phillips and Santner steer them home

Boooo.

Series drawn.

The Bangers made a huge error in this game. They had a superior spin bowling attack but prepared a wicket which turned heaps & nullified that advantage.

Similar to the 3rd Test of the 2022/23 India v Australia series.