Williamson defies Tigers‍‍` spinners to lead New Zealand to 78-2 at lunch

New Zealand senior batter Kane Williamson defied Bangladesh spinners in an excellent show of serenity as the visitors reached 78-2, recovering from initial wobble at lunch on day two of the first Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

He was batting on 26 with Henry Nicholls on 11 as New Zealand was trailing by 232 runs at the first interval of the day.

Bangladesh were folded for their overnight 310 as the last batter Shoriful Islam was trapped leg-before by New Zealand skipper and fast bowler Tim Southee in the first ball of the day.

But Bangladesh spinners took little time to get into act in a pitch that provided bounce and turn aplenty.

The home side played just one pacer in Shoriful Islam, in fact with an anticipation that the spin will come into the fore as the days go on.

New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway though played out Shoriful without any problem, they found them in wanting against offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam.

With Taijul tightening the grip, Latham who hit three fours for his 21 off 44 tried to sweep him to counter his threat but ended up top-edging it to Nayeem Hasan at backward square leg.

Conway after scoring 12 from 40 balls followed him two overs later when Miraz had him caught by Shahadat Hossain at silly point as he tried to defend a quicker delivery.

New Zealand offspinner Glenn Phillips earlier claimed 4-53 in his just second match to play a key role in bowling out Bangladesh for 310.

Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy made team-high 86. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque contributed 37 runs each.