New Zealand tightens grip on Bangladesh Test

Mathew Bell and Jacob Oram struck centuries to give New Zealand a 220-run first innings lead on the second day of the first cricket Test against Bangladesh at University Oval here.

Bangladesh batsmen were however effortlessly working into the deficit on a placid pitch and at tea were 35 without loss after just seven overs.

New Zealand dismissed Bangladesh for 137 inside two sessions on the opening day and then posted 357 in reply.

When Bell, who made 107, and Jacob Oram, 117, were in full flight, New Zealand appeared on track for a lead well in excess of 300.

However, the introduction of the second new ball brought Bangladesh back into the game as the last four New Zealand wickets fell for just 37 runs.

Bell, on his return to the New Zealand side after being unwanted for the past six years, weathered a shaky period in the 90s before scoring his second Test hundred.

He had a stroke of fortune on 97 when he survived a confident appeal from pace bowler Mashrafe Mortaza after being hit on the pad.

Australian umpire Peter Parker ruled Bell was not out although television replays indicated the ball was heading towards off stump.

Ten runs later Bell was undone when he misread a full ball from Mohammad Ashraful and was hit on the front pad directly in front of the stumps and Parker had no hesitation in giving him out.

Oram, who put on 139 for the fifth wicket with Bell, went to lunch on 95 and brought up his century soon after before being bowled by Mashrafe Mortaza who was the most successful of the Bangladesh bowlers with four for 74.

At the tail of the innings Chris Martin, who has one of the world's worst Test batting averages of two from 48 Test innings, posted his highest international score with an unbeaten 12.

Openers Tamim Iqbal (not out 10) and Zunaed Siddique (not out 25), both on Test debut, safely took Bangladesh through to 35 without loss at tea.