NZ, Bangladesh defend bouncer culture
Mushfiq OK after hit by a Southee bouncer
AFP
AFP, WELLINGTON: New Zealand and Bangladesh Monday defended the short ball as a legitimate weapon following the bouncer-laden first Test which saw Mushfiqur Rahim rushed to hospital after being hit on the head.
Kane Williamson led New Zealand in a stunning fightback to win the Test on Monday after Bangladesh were reduced to nine wickets in their second innings with Mushfiqur injured.
Williamson, who scored his 15th century as New Zealand mowed down a 217-run target late on the final day, said the injury was sad to see but the bouncer was a legitimate weapon.
After Bangladesh posted an imposing 595 for eight in their first innings and New Zealand fell 56 runs short in reply, the game turned when the hosts employed the short ball to end the Bangladesh second innings at 160-9.
Mushfiqur retired hurt on 13 and was taken to hospital in an ambulance after he was felled by a short-pitched delivery from Tim Southee.
It was one of several bouncers which had the Bangladesh captain frequently ducking and weaving during his 80 minutes at the crease.
Mushfiqur was given the all-clear following x-rays but took no further part in the match and while Williamson said that was unfortunate for Bangladesh, he defended the continued use of the short ball.
Its a tactic to get players out, he said.
It is very unfortunate when you do see someone get hit. Its obviously a delicate place and both teams were very concerned when it happened.
It was sad to see. Its never nice to see someone in an ambulance on the cricket field but nice to see hes OK now.
Williamson said that after a tough first innings, the way the New Zealand bowlers came back in the second and put the ball in the right area was a great effort which set the game up for us.
Bangladesh also made ample use of the bouncer with Neil Wagner hit three times in his first innings with one ball slamming the helmet grille into his face and leaving him with a cut chin.
Tamim Iqbal, who took over the leadership of the Bangladesh side, had no complaints about the tactic and likened a threatening short delivery in New Zealand to facing spin in the sub-continent.
Thats part of the game. You cant complain about it, he said.
That was their strategy maybe. I have no complaints. I am sure Mushy (Mushfiqur) doesnt have complaints too.
When they come to Bangladesh we know that they dont like playing spin, well bowl spin all day, thats what happens.
SCOREBOARD
Bangladesh 1st innings 595-8 dec.
New Zealand 1st inns 539
Bangladesh 2nd inns (overnight 66-3)
Tamim b Santner 25
I Kayes not out 36
Mominul c de Grandhomme
b Wagner 23
M Riyad c Watling b Wagner 5
Mehedi run out 1
Shakib c Williamson b Santner 0
Sabbir c Watling b Boult 50
Mushfiqur retired hurt 13
Taskin b Boult 5
Kamrul c de Grandhomme
b Southee 1
Subashis b Boult 0
Extras (nb 1) 1
Total (9 wickets, 57.5 overs) 160
Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-63, 3-66, 4-66, 5-96, 6-137, 7-148, 8-152, 9-160.
BOWLING O M R W
T Boult 13.5 3 53 3
T Southee 13 5 34 1
M Santner 16 5 36 2
N Wagner 15 3 37 2
New Zealand 2nd innings:
T Latham b Mehedi 16
J Raval c b Mehedi 13
K Williamson not out 104
R Taylor c Mehedi b Subashis 60
H Nicholls not out 4
Extras (b14, lb6) 20
Total (3 wkts, 39.4 overs) 217
Fall of wickets: 1-32 , 2-39, 3-202.
BOWLING O M R W
Kamrul 7 0 31 0
Mehedi 11.4 0 66 2
Shakib 10 0 30 0
Taskin 6 0 38 0
Subashis 5 0 32 1
