Cricket: Bangladesh show up NZ bowling

Mahmudullah Riyad is the Bangladeshi to score a test century against NZ. Photo / Getty Images

So New Zealand would run through test cricket's weakest nation, would they?

Three days, four at the most, sneered the negative ninnies.

But Bangladesh confounded the sceptics at Seddon Park with their fifth-highest test total, 408, as they found some steel allied to exhilarating strokeplay to give sloppy New Zealand bowling the run-around yesterday afternoon.

They have a new batting hero in Mahmudullah, whose maiden test hundred was also Bangladesh's first against New Zealand. In tandem with captain Shakib al Hasan's spirited 87, he showed welcome spine and plenty of class.

The fourth day will start with New Zealand nine for one in their second innings - BJ Watling having been carelessly run out by Shakib's slick work and direct hit - with an overall lead of 154.

But this was Bangladesh's day despite a morning session of 130 minutes going much as New Zealand might have expected. They chipped their way through five Bangladesh wickets, but the runs came at a decent clip.

New Zealand now know that Bangladesh batsmen can handle over-pitched deliveries with aplomb.

The middle session belonged to Mahmudullah and Shakib - Shakib was bold, sweeping and cutting with panache; Mahmudullah unleashed a stream of gorgeous drives.

On 49 Shakib survived a referred lbw appeal against Jeetan Patel, which was sought after a long delay and done by committee. Bangladesh did the same on the first day.

There was drama, too, in the second over after tea, with the pair having taken their stand to a seventh-wicket record 145 against all nations.

Shakib touched a catch to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum. Television replays looked bad for McCullum, suggesting he had caught it on the bounce.

New Zealand reacted as if it was a done deal; Shakib, dejected, failed to ask for a second opinion from the third umpire. The Bangladesh team and management, watching from the stand, did not hide their dismay.

Mahmudullah, perhaps angry at the manner of his captain's dismissal or knowing time was running out, went on a tear.

He was stranded on 96 against India at Dhaka last month, but took 16 off one Daryl Tuffey over to sail through the eighties and, after a few jitters on 98, celebrated his century by pasting Chris Martin for three fours in an over.

The first eight overs after tea produced a hectic, heady 61 runs.

The bowling? Dan Vettori, often with four fielders around the bat, invariably demanded attention; Tim Southee got a yellow card for twice running down the pitch; offspinner Patel was meat and drink for two batsmen on a roll; Tuffey toiled hard and Martin mixed good moments with some less than ordinary work. So be charitable and call it a work in progress.