New Zealand ruthless in Christchurch

A barnstorming partnership from Tom Latham and Devon Conway have put New Zealand in command at Hagley Oval.

The skipper brought up his 12th Test century halfway through the day dominated by the hosts, hitting a staggering 28 boundaries around the wicket in his 278-ball stay at the crease.

Putting on 148 for the first wicket with Will Young (54), Latham was accompanied by Devon Conway, who was bitterly one short of reaching three figures himself (99*) when time was called.

Conway will be on strike for the first ball, as the hosts look to post an ominous first innings total. Remarkably, batting first was not New Zealand’s doing, with Mominul Haque choosing to field at the toss.

New Zealand made the most of the opportunity, capitalising on some poor discipline with the ball and in the field, almost travelling at four runs an over during the morning.

The opening pair made 92 runs in the 25-over morning session, with Latham bringing up his half-century in just 65 balls.

Bangladesh were bereft of ideas with the ball, and not backed up in the field, ruing missed opportunities.

Litton Das dropped Young after the lunch break, and the batting pair moved to the 100-run stand, the first opening partnership of three figures in the first innings of a Test in New Zealand since 2012. Young moved to fifty in emphatic fashion, hitting Mehidy Hasan Miraz over the top, though was dismissed by Shoriful Islam for 54.

It turned out to be the only joy Bangladesh enjoyed during the day, as Conway joined Latham to pile the pressure on. Latham’s century came off 133 balls (the fastest of his dozen), mixing power with touch and use of opposition pace bowling.

Conway also neared his century as the day came to an end, with the hosts in command at 349/1.

For Bangladesh, Mahmudul Hasan Joy ruled out due to a hand injury, with Mohammad Naim replacing him as opener and becoming Bangladesh’s 100th Test cap. Mushfiqur Rahim was also a late withdrawal, succumbing to a groin injury in the warm-up.

For New Zealand, Rachin Ravindran was replaced in the side by Daryl Mitchell.