CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, 28 October 2004 — Captain Stephen Fleming completed his second Test double century yesterday as New Zealand piled on the runs against Bangladesh.
Fleming scored 202 out of his team’s 545 for six on the second day of the second Test then watched as spinners Daniel Vettori and Paul Wiseman reduced the home side to 82 for three at the close. The Kiwi skipper, who became New Zealand’s top Test run scorer as well as the team’s most capped player on the opening day, hit 21 fours and a six from 318 deliveries.
Fleming became only the third New Zealand batsman to score two double centuries in Tests after Glenn Turner and Matthew Sinclair.
The 31-year-old left-hander, who made his highest score of 274 not out against Sri Lanka in Colombo last year, played some fine shots on both sides of the wicket during his 318-ball knock.
Hamish Marshall, playing his second Test after a gap of almost four years, scored 69 while Nathan Astle hit 39 and Jacob Oram was unbeaten on 38.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique was the pick of the bowlers with three for 130 from 55 overs. Bangladesh put on 34 for the first wicket before Vettori, who took eight wickets in the first Test, came into the attack.
Vettori dismissed Nafees Iqbal for 13 and Aftab Ahmed for 20 while Paul Wiseman had Rajin Saleh caught at the other end.
England Confirm
Zimbabwe Tour
In London, England confirmed yesterday they would go ahead with their five-match One-Day International tour of Zimbabwe next month.
The one outstanding issue for England chiefs was the safety and security of players and officials. But following an inspection report, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chairman David Morgan gave them the go ahead to tour.
“The ECB management board has received a thorough report from the pre-tour visit, and we are grateful to the delegation that went to Zimbabwe and to the ZCU for their full cooperation with the visit,” said Morgan.
