Cricket: Spinner braced for long spell

1.00pm - By MARTYN WATTERSON

DHAKA - Daniel Vettori can set himself for another marathon stint at the bowling crease when play starts on day two of the first cricket test against Bangladesh here today.

Vettori sent down just under a third of New Zealand's overs yesterday, ending with two for 26 off 29 overs as Bangladesh closed on 165 for six after winning the toss.

The left-arm spinner was instrumental in containing the Bangladeshi batsmen with 13 maidens, while he also became New Zealand's third-equal leading wicket taker with Danny Morrison on 160 wickets in his 56th test.

With the flat pitch expected to break up, New Zealand's strike weapon on the subcontinent can expect a heavy workload today.

"We haven't discussed tactics yet but I would assume Dan would be introduced pretty quickly," said allrounder Jacob Oram, who also bagged two wickets.

"He bowled tidily today and could have picked up a couple more wickets. He is one of our main weapons especially in conditions like this.

"I can't imagine it would be too long before he bowls. A little burst for all the seamers with the new ball and then probably Dan and Paul Wiseman for most of that first session if we don't get any breakthroughs."

Oram also impressed yesterday, taking the first wicket with just the third ball of the innings, and breaking through again in the third over to eventually end with two for 27 from 18 overs.

Swing bowler James Franklin snapped up the other two wickets with a tidy spell conceding 25 from 13 overs.

On what he described as a sticky wicket at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Oram said it was vital they struck early today to avoid chasing a hefty total if they bat twice.

"The pitch is slow and low nature for the seamers with a bit of turn for the spinners. It will only start to turn more and break up so batting last if we have to chase a total could be difficult prospect.

"We have to bowl well to restrict as many runs we have chase on the last day."

New Zealand started the first session in sublime form with the hosts struggling at five for three after just six overs.

Oram picked off opener Hannan Sarker when the ball seamed a little and Stephen Fleming took a comfortable catch at first slip then Franklin snared Javed Omar when he played onto his stumps.

Oram completed the opening blitz when debutant Nafees Iqbal edged one to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

By that stage only about 2000 spectators were witnessing the destruction on a clear Dhaka day, but the pairing of Mohammad Ashraful and Rajin Saleh saw the tempo change dramatically.

After negotiating the next six overs, Ashraful cut loose with some powerful strokemaking which included three hefty sixes as they added a 120-run partnership which saved Bangladesh from potential humiliation.

However the momentum was lost when Ashraful departed soon after lunch to a loose shot at Vettori without adding to his 67, and Saleh followed shortly afterwards on 41.

With Vettori proving miserly, captain Khaled Mashud and Manzural Islam were content to preserve their wickets as the scoring slowed in the final session.

Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore had no gripes about the final session which saw the honours revert back to New Zealand as they look to occupy the crease.

"What we have to do is to accumulate as many runs as possible -- getting them quickly is not an issue. We need to bat for as long as we can because if you do the runs will come."

- NZPA