Fleming puts Kiwis in command against Bangladesh
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

CHITTAGONG (Bangladesh): Captain Stephen Fleming struck a sparkling century as New Zealand took control of the second and final Test against Bangladesh here.

Fleming became his country’s highest run-getter in Tests during an unbeaten 137 as New Zealand reached 338-3 after electing to bat at the M.A. Aziz Stadium on Tuesday.

Nathan Astle was the other not out batsman on 34.

Fleming was associated in a dominating 204-run partnership for the third wicket with Scott Styris (89) that put paid to the home side’s hopes of fighting it out on a pitch aiding turn.

Fleming, who got past Martin Crowe’s aggregate of 5,444 runs with an uppish boundary through cover off Mohammad Rafique when on 78, was positive from early on and was not afraid to play lofted shots.

The 31-year-old left-hander also set a new mark of Test caps for New Zealand as he was tied at 86 matches with legendary seamer Richard Hadlee before this match.

“I had those records in mind when I went out to bat today,” said Fleming, who hammered 15 fours in his eighth Test century.

Styris, dropped by wicket-keeper Khaled Mashud off Enamul Haque (junior) on 24, himself hit 10 fours and a six during his fifth 50. He looked set for a century but failed to read a slower delivery and gave a soft return catch to Rafique.

“We had decided to bat positively from the beginning after doing well in the opening Test.

One has to always cash in on one’s chances,” said Fleming, whose Test aggregate now stands at 5,501 runs.

Earlier, the visiting side got off to a brisk start through openers Mark Richardson (28) and Matthew Sinclair (23) before left-arm spinners Rafique and Haque took a wicket each.

Sinclair was bowled by a delivery from Rafique that turned away nicely, while left-hander Richardson top-edged a sweep to Mushfiqur Rahman at square-leg off Haque.

New Zealand made one change from the side for the first Test, bringing in batsman Hamish Marshall for paceman Ian Butler.

Bangladesh made three changes. Batsman Aftab Ahmed made his debut with all-rounder Rahman and Haque the others to come in.

Hannan Sarkar, Alamgir Kabir and Manjural Islam Rana made way for them.

New Zealand have won all their three previous Tests against Bangladesh by innings margins, including the opening match of this series at Dhaka in which they prevailed by an innings and 99 runs.

The two-Test series will be followed by three one-dayers.●