Bangladesh vs New Zealand: 2nd Test - Day 3: Corey Anderson's maiden century helps the Kiwis consolidate

New Zealand batsman Corey Anderson reacts after scoring a century (100 runs) during the third day of the second cricket Test match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Sher-e Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on October 23, 2013.

After two consecutive rain-curtailed days, a full-day’s play was finally possible in the second Test match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. New Zealand ended the day in a position of strength at 419/8, with a lead of 137 runs and both Bradley-John Watling and Ish Sodhi remaining unbeaten after having gone past their fifties.

Resuming the day on 107/3, New Zealand lost Ross Taylor early, edging a delivery turning away from him to the slip fielder, who was only able to add 16 more runs to his overnight score of 37. However, Kiwis allayed any fears of a collapse with a solid fifth wicket partnership between Kane Willamson and Corey Anderson.

The pair, keeping the Bangladesh bowlers at bay for the next 42.4 overs, combined to score 140 runs to take the score to 267/5. Williamson (62 off 151) threw away his wicket when he attempted a big heave against Abdur Razzak only to be caught at deep-midwicket. Fast bowler Al-Amin Hossain picked up his first international wicket when Corey Anderson (116 of 173), who had a scored a fine counter-attacking century in only his second Test match, drove an over-pitched delivery straight to extra-cover.

Shakib picked up his fifth wicket of the innings when all-rounder Doug Bracewell (17) was caught behind, while Nasir Hossain got rid of Neil Wagner. Just when the home team had found a leeway by picking up four quick wickets, wicketkeeper Bradley-John Watling (59*) and left-arm spinner Ish Sodhi (55*) thwarted the opposition with an unbeaten 84-run partnership for the ninth wicket to take their team to 419/8 at the end of the day.

It all depends on how well and how fast the kiwi bowlers bowl Bangladesh batsmen out when the home team bats in its second innings. That said, if New Zealand can somehow repeat their first innings bowling performance, they are in with a great chance to notch up a victory.