Cricket: Clean sweep for the Black Caps

CHITTAGONG: New Zealand completed their easiest series triumph on foreign soil yesterday when they destroyed Bangladesh by an innings and 101 runs.

They won the first test in Dhaka by an innings and 99 runs.

It was deja vu for spinner Daniel Vettori, who last week terrorised the Bangladeshi batsmen with eight wickets.

Vettori ended the second match with 12 for 170 as the hosts failed to overcome the visitors' 545 for six declared.

"It was in the end pretty comprehensive, but we worked hard for it," skipper Stephen Fleming said.

"We stayed professional throughout and got the reward in the end."

Fleming felt their effort over the past three days and 30 minutes exceeded that in Dhaka.

"I thought this was a better performance because people in the right areas did their job. Batters at the top of the order came right, whereas in the last game we relied on the lower order," said Fleming, who scored 202.

"We were able to declare and set the pace as we scored at a more positive rate, and that gave us time.

"Even though we had two days to go it's important that you score at a good tempo in test cricket.

"The bowlers also continued their work. They were able to create pressure and pick up the wickets, and getting 15 wickets on the second day was a good effort."

Frailties in the Bangladesh batting in dealing with spin were cruelly exposed by Vettori, whose bounce and extra pace caused havoc.

One of his best deliveries came when he bowled Aftab Ahmed around his legs for 28 on the second day.

Bangladesh made 182 in their first innings and were forced to follow on just after lunch on day two.

They resumed yesterday on 210 for eight, but it took Vettori just five minutes to remove overnight batsman Mohammad Rafique (31), who was caught by Mathew Sinclair.

Vettori also dismissed Tapash Baisya for 66 after his rearguard fightback ended when he advanced down the wicket and was stumped by Brendon McCullum.

Baisya, who raised his second test half-century from 36 balls, provided some lusty hitting in the closing stages to provide minimal satisfaction for the home team while showing the Black Caps that he and Rafique could trouble them with some late hitting in the one-day internationals.

The test saw some significant milestones for Fleming, who became the leading New Zealand test run scorer, passing Martin Crowe's 5444.

He also has the record for most test appearances, his 87th going past another New Zealand great, Sir Richard Hadlee.

Vettori, who claimed the man-of-the-series award for his 20-wicket haul, came in for special mention from the skipper.

"In the past I wouldn't say Daniel has struggled, but he hasn't had the returns that other spinners have had. So for him to come away with 20 wickets is just reward for his persistence over the past 12 months."

Fleming leaves the squad today with four other players, handing the one-day captaincy to Vettori.

- NZPA