‘Green wicket now, tough to say what will happen later’

Bangladesh team were more than surprised with how the grassy pitch at Hamilton turned out during the first Test. Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam confirmed that the wicket had changed its behaviour during the match.

Tigers were bowled out for a meagre 234 runs in the first innings despite a Tamim Iqbal ton but New Zealand batsmen weathered some difficulty early on in their innings to post their highest-ever score in Test cricket, declaring their innings at 715 for six to show how good a batting track it was.

As Tigers head into the second Test at Wellington's Basin Reserve, an even grassier surface is currently on view. But Taijul is not too certain the wicket will behave in the way -- provide pace and bounce and a lot of swing -- that its current condition suggests it should.

"The wicket at Hamilton was greenish at first but the behaviour changed in the second day. The wicket here is even more greenish than the one at Hamilton but tough to say what will happen later," Taijul said.

Taijul, currently on 97 Test wickets would love to bag his 100th in this Test series if given the chance. Mehedi Miraz had the worst economy of any bowler who bowled 45 overs or more in Test history during the last Test where he conceded 149 runs for two wickets. If the wicket does not support the pacers as much as it should, Taijul reiterated the job of the spinner would be to contain the runs.

"Everyone dreams of 100 wickets so if I play then I will try to get three more wickets to reach the mark," he said. "In foreign grassy wickets, the target is to contain and help out the pacers. If luck favours and we get wickets then that's good," he added.

While Tigers have a lot on their plate strategy-wise, Taijul found something in their favour. Namely the weather. "Last time we were here, the weather was different. Maybe the weather is like this [sunshine] due to summer. The wind was stronger back then and it was chillier.

"This weather is good for our batsmen and our bowlers because we are used to this," he concluded.