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'Desperate': Bangladesh mocked over cricket's 'worst ever' appeal

chris young
Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Bangladesh were roundly mocked for their decision to review this delivery to Ross Taylor, which the Kiwi batsman clearly hit out of the middle of the bat. Pictures: Fox Cricket
Bangladesh were roundly mocked for their decision to review this delivery to Ross Taylor, which the Kiwi batsman clearly hit out of the middle of the bat. Pictures: Fox Cricket

'Bangladesh may have been on the brink of an historic Test victory over New Zealand, but their feverish attempts to get the wickets required proved to be a little bit off the mark.

After taking a 130-run first innings lead on Kiwi soil, Bangladesh hoped to preserve as much of that lead as possible - no small ask against one of the world's premier Test teams.

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Things were going pretty well on day four though, Bangladesh on track having gotten the hosts to 2/90.

They got a bit ambitious however, when Ross Taylor played what looked to all comers a regulation forward defence against a full delivery from Ebadot Hossain.

The ball bounced away at an angle, inexplicably leading the team to review umpire Chris Brown's obviously correct decision of 'not out'.

Commentators were stunned by the review, which swiftly revealed to the players that the ball had bounced off the middle of Taylor's bat.

“It’s clearly straight on to the bat so we go back to Chris on field,” the third umpire said.

“Chris, you can stay with your on-field decision.”

There was some laughter throughout the ground as the DRS was displayed on big screens, with even the commentators chuckling at the woeful review.

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Bangladesh first dismissed New Zealand for 328, claiming the last five wickets for 70 runs to leave it short of a par score on a docile pitch at the Bay Oval.

Bangladesh replied with 458, lifted by the contributions of captain Mominul Haque (88), Liton Das (86), Mahmudul Hasan Joy (78) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (64).

Bangladesh claim historic Test victory over New Zealand

On a pitch on which Bangladesh and New Zealand collectively amassed 786 runs in their first innings - with the tourists taking a 130-run lead - Ebadot reduced New Zealand to 5-147 at stumps, a lead of only 17 runs.

After dismissing first innings century-maker Devon Conway for 13, Ebadot removed Will Young (69), Henry Nicholls (0) and Tom Blundell (0) in the space of six balls to fortify the strong position the Bangladesh batters had created.

He continued his good work early on the final day, removing Taylor soon after the resumption of play, prompting a tail-end collapse from New Zealand.

Needing only 40 runs to win, Bangladesh lost two wickets but ultimately claimed a historic eight-wicket win.

The victory was their first over New Zealand in New Zealand in any format, their first Test win over the Kiwis at all, and their first Test victory away from home.

Bangladesh's bowling coach Ottis Gibson praised the bowling of Ebadot, who finished with six wickets, saying he only took up cricket five years ago.

"He won a fast-bowling competition somewhere and two years later he was playing international cricket," Gibson said.

"He's a joy to work with because he's enthusiastic and he wants to learn so much. When his confidence is high he can bowl spells like this."

With AAP

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