2nd Test: New Zealand v Bangladesh at Wellington, 26-30 Dec 2001 CricInfo Live Report

2nd Test: New Zealand v Bangladesh at Wellington, 26-30 Dec 2001
Lynn McConnell

New Zealand 1st innings: Day 2-Prospects, Play abandoned,
Live Reports from previous days

RAIN PREVENTS ANY PLAY ON DAY 2 IN WELLINGTON

Despite some clearances in mid-afternoon, light showers were consistent enough to make play impossible on the second day of the second National Bank Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh today.

The abandonment finally came at 4.40pm.

The covers came off in mid-afternoon but there were some damp pitches at the southern end of the ground and there was no chance of any play without long fine periods.

Play will start at 11.30am tomorrow. New Zealand will resume at 72/0, still 60 runs behind Bangladesh on the first innings.

New Zealand leads the two-Test series 1-0.

PLAY UNLIKELY ON DAY TWO OF SECOND TEST

Wellington was submerged under heavy rain this morning making it very unlikely that there will be any play on the second day of the second New Zealand-Bangladesh National Bank Test.

Rain fell just after daybreak but it cleared. However, around 10am the heavens opened and with the water table high after all the rain that has fallen in the early summer in Wellington, it was not long before the ground was awash.

Ironically, given the Capital city's reputation for wind, there was none to blow the rain away today.

The covers on the ground were over the complete pitch block, including the often troublesome previously used pitches which have a habit of muddying up.

Areas in front of the R A Vance Stand at the northern end of the ground were ponding, and there was water lying over the practice pitches at the western side of the ground.

The umpires, Brent Bowden (New Zealand) and Daryl Harper (Australia) are not expected to make an inspection until around the scheduled lunch break of 2pm.

New Zealand were 72 without loss, in reply to Bangladesh's 132 when play ended on the first day.