New Zealand came from a match down to tie their two-game Test match series against Bangladesh. The visitors chased a 137-run target in their second innings, completing a memorable turnaround. However, their captain Tim Southee was far from happy with the pitch
New Zealand beat Bangaldesh in a low-scoring second Test match to level their ongoign series 1-1. The Blackcaps, who had lost the first encounter, managed to restrict the hosts to low totals in both innings, before successfully chasing down a target of 137 runs on the penultimate day. Batter Glenn Phillips shone for New Zealand in both their innings on the crease, eventually taking them over the finish line in a rapid chase on day four of five. (Cricket News)
Despite the triumph, New Zealand captain Tim Southee was far from pleased with the pitch Bangladesh had prepared for the encounter. The pacer called it the 'worst wicket' of his career, claiming that it was tailored heavily to favour the bowlers, thus creating an uneven battle.
"There's a number of ways I could describe that wicket," Southee said. "For the match to be over in 170 overs is a fair reflection of that wicket.
"It wasn't great. It certainly wasn't an even battle between bat and ball.
"It's probably the worst wicket I've come across in my career. Like I say, the balance between bat and ball was heavily favoured into the bowlers' hands.
"For the match to be over in 170 overs reflects that. For our guys to scrap and come away with a win was very pleasing."
Southee's comments concerning the pitch gained further validity after it was revealed that it yielded just 1069 balls across the complete Test match - the shortest-ever played in the country.