KEY POINTS:
New Zealand poked their noses in front late on the first day of the first cricket test when overhauling Bangladesh's insignificant first innings at University Oval here today.
Opener Matthew Bell, playing his first test since 2001, piloted New Zealand past Bangladesh's 137 all out, off the last ball of the hosts' 37th over.
By stumps, Bell was on 74 with allrounder Jacob Oram unbeaten on 17.
Although New Zealand were comfortably positioned at the close on 156 for four, an under pressure - and remodelled top order - failed to collectively fire in pleasant batting conditions.
Craig Cumming, with one, and Peter Fulton and Stephen Fleming, who both made 14, all had a hand in their own demise although debutant Sajidual Islam, who claimed Cumming as his first scalp, had his moments.
Fulton missed a straight one from Shahadat Hossain after peeling three boundaries in his previous over while Fleming was cursing when a loose drive edged the ball to wicketkeeper Mushfiq Rahim.
Bell and Mathew Sinclair constructed a 73-run stand for the fourth wicket before the latter was adjudged leg before wicket for 29 to Mushrafe Mortaza, a ball after the paceman had a more compelling appeal turned down by Australian umpire Peter Parker.
Bell notched his half-century off 75 balls and was on course for his second test century at stumps.
Earlier, Chris Martin claimed four for 64 off 13 overs and Oram three for 23 as Bangladesh struggled to cope apart from teenaged opener Tamim Iqbal, who made 53 on debut.
Veteran Habibul Bashar added a brisk 23 off 22 balls before he was claimed by Martin, who ended the innings on 117-career wickets, equal seventh on the New Zealand all-time list with Richard Collinge.
- NZPA
