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| Darren Bravo top edges his slog-sweep |
Zimbabwe and New Zealand captain take the toss.Darren Bravo must've been kicking himself nearly reaching the double-century by 5 runs in just his maiden hundred in the day where West Indies looks to be favourites despite Tamim Iqbal fighting to keep Bangladesh afloat in the Test with his unbeaten 82.
It all started when West Indies resumed from their overnight score of 207/3 where they looked to restrain from htting the good balls and started motoring and by lunch, the Windies were looking to set a good target and looked to get Bravo his first double-century having completed his objective of having his maiden century. But a half-hearted sweep by Darren Bravo with 5 runs away from the magic 200 brought and end to a remarkable milestone when the captain took the catch with Suhrawadi Shuvo leading the figures using as much turn he could get from the pitch with 3-73.
With the world record target being 507 if the Bangladesh chased this down, they didn't get to the best of starts after a speedy getaway from Imrul Kayes, he was caught out yet again by the flying Fidel Edwards who has by the end of this day in the Test; 6 wickets and counting. Tamim Iqbal played some classy shots and played without risk and taking his time. He was losing partners after Shahriar Nafees and Raqibul Hasan shared 50 partnership with him. Without a thought about the "mediocre" batting in the first innings finally vanished from their thoughts. But with 343 more runs to win, it is almost certain that Bangladesh will try and call it a draw if they aren't accelerating as much as they should.
New Zealand 275 for 3 (Guptill 109, Taylor 76*, Williamson 49) v Zimbabwe
Martin Guptill led the way for New Zealand as they batted away the frustrated Zimbawean bowling in a lifeless pitch for the bowlers to bowling at. A wicket each session wasn't going to do for Zimbabwe but no matter how much they toiled, no result apart from 3 wickets taken during the day.
Brendon McCullum however found it difficult with the pitch strangely and was largely inpatient swinging the bat nowhere and he paid the price settling only for 14. Guptill was being supported well with the batting of Kane Williamson who came attacking and so close to a half century with a 49 and Ross Taylor who is unbeaten at 76. The way Guptill batted almost felt like it was part of a mental plan to make the Zimbabwe bowlers tire out and frustrate as he wasn't playing anything loose or extravagant. But Hamilton Masakadza only had 7 overs but conceded 13 runs for 1 wicket which made the pick of the bowlers and one question must be lingering about why he didn't bowl as much as the other bowlers with such good figures.
Guptill was unfortunately out for 109 by Hamilton Masakadza in the cost of, however, laying the foundation for a good solid 1st innings score for New Zealand.
Testing Times XI-Their Campaign
As time flies by, excitement is much needed in the world and cricket's answer would mostly consist of Twenty20. But... and but, have you looked closely. Test Cricket is slowly declining from the world of cricket and there is still promise of excitement in the game. The Boxing Day Test in Sydney bring huge crowds and spectators to fill the capacity of the SCG. The summer Tests in England also bring huge crowds. Cheers like in football matches, good fun with mates with the booze, lots of noise for the support of the hosts. Proper cricket. Testing Times XI is a campaign followed by around 1000 people to preserve Test Cricket as said just now. They want to prove that there is hunger and the need of the longer, original form of cricket. The cricket that makes the excitement of cricket of limited overs happen.
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