Cricket: Rain cuts session short as Black Caps claim wicket

Ground staff hauling the covers over the pitch after rain stopped play on day one of the cricket test at the Basin Reserve. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Blustery, drizzly weather cut short the opening session of the first test between New Zealand and Bangladesh at the Basin Reserve today.

When players left the field about 50 minutes after the start, Bangladesh, having been sent in, were 39 for one off 11.3 overs, with opener Tamim Iqbal the dominant figure on the park.

An early lunch was called at 12.30pm.

Assertive lefthander Tamim had reached 36 off 37 balls, while Mominul Haque was on two.

The only batsman out was Imrul Kayes for one, rashly hooking seamer Tim Southee straight to Trent Boult at fine leg in the day's fourth over.

Tamim, who spent one season in Wellington, wasted no time getting on the front foot with a string of bold strokes against an out-of-sorts Boult.

He was strong through the point and cover area, eased left armer Boult to the wide mid on boundary and off drove medium pacer Colin de Grandhomme to the long off fence.

He had hit seven boundaries, and also survived a DRS referral from New Zealand after a loud appeal when de Grandhomme struck him on his front pad.

Replays suggested the ball passing over the leg stump.

Mominul, who scored two centuries against New Zealand in Bangladesh in 2013 and is averaging 51 from his 19 tests, was battling hard as Southee gave him a decent examination.

Southee had taken one for two from his 5.3 overs while Boult's opening three overs cost 26.

That raised the question of whether bowling into the buffeting breeze, as Southee did, was easier to retain balance than bowling with the wind at the back, as Boult had. The respective performances suggested Southee had the better end of the deal.

This is Bangladesh's third test at the Basin. The first two, in 2001 and 2008, ended in heavy innings' defeats.

New Zealand are chasing a third win in as many home tests this summer, having beaten Pakistan 2-0 before Christmas. They have never been beaten by Bangladesh at home in any form of cricket, the record standing at 19 matches, 19 wins.