Ross Taylor took a Test wicket in his final Test as New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by an innings in the Hagley Oval Test to level the two-match series 1-1.
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In 112 Tests, Ross Taylor has bowled only eight times in his career. A combined total of just 16.3 overs in a 13-year playing career suggested that Ross Taylor was not much of a bowler. In fact, in his entire career, he picked up two wickets and that too against India in Ahmedabad in 2010. His two wickets included Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth. The last time he bowled, it was in the 2013 Test against Bangladesh in Chhatogram. Now, nine years later, Taylor came onto bowl for the last time in his Test career. However, he achieved a special moment in his career.
Taylor managed to get the wicket of Ebadot Hossain for 4 as he slogged to Tom Latham at midwicket. The wicket helped Ross Taylor sign off on a high from Test cricket. New Zealand leveled the two-match series 1-1 thanks to a win by an innings and 117 runs at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Apart from Taylor’s wicket, New Zealand’s paces were brilliant with Kyle Jamieson taking 4/82. He was ably supported by Neil Wagner who took 3/77. Tim Southee and Daryl Mitchell also chipped in with wickets.
Bangladesh was already on the backfoot after having been bowled out for 126 in the first innings. New Zealand hoped to run through the Bangladesh batting on day 3. However, the visitors were determined to put in a good effort for the second time. Shadman Islam looked to be aggressive but he fell for 24. Mohammad Naim and Nazmul Hossain Shanto shared a fifty-run stand but Naim was sent back by Southee.
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Bangladesh was jolted by a triple strike from Neil Wagner who reduced Bangladesh to 128/5. However, Liton Das and Nurul Hasan stitched a solid stand and took the fight to New Zealand. Liton was the more aggressive of the lot, smashing two fours off Wagner before the tea break.
Gotta love Ross Taylor getting his 3rd Test wicket in his final Test to win the match. pic.twitter.com/8KsjuWMExR
— Andrew Donnison (@Donno79) January 11, 2022
After the break, Nurul Hasan was in confident touch with four boundaries in a couple of overs. Liton also fed on Nurul’s confidence, smoking a four and a six off Jamieson. The right-hander raced past his fifty with four boundaries in one over bowled by Trent Boult. Nurul notched up the 100-run stand and it seemed like Bangladesh would take the match to the fourth day.
Daryl Mitchell ended the partnership when he had Nurul Hasan caught for 36. Liton though kept the fight going as he moved into the 80s. Jamieson came back and took the wicket of Mehidy Hasan as the hosts inched closer. Liton entered the 90s with two fours off Wagner. After hitting another four, Liton notched up his second Test century with a couple off Jamieson.
Both Jamieson and Wagner hit the gloves of Liton and that left him in considerable pain. All the blows resulted in Jamieson trapping Liton LBW for 102. A fine knock was applauded all over the Hagley Oval and by the Bangladesh team. Jamieson took his fourth with the wicket of Shorfiul Islam. Ross Taylor signed the match off with his third wicket in Tests. It was a fine way for the veteran to end his Test sojourn as New Zealand managed to avoid an embarrassment at home.
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