The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Wellington

Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori, New Zealand captains past and present, shared a common fate on the second day of the second cricket test against Bangladesh on Sunday.

Fleming, who captained New Zealand in 80 tests, and Vettori, who succeeded him ahead of this series, were both out within reach of a century as New Zealand replied with 393 to Bangladesh's first innings of 143, a lead of 250.

By stumps, Bangladesh was 51-5 in its second innings, still 199 runs behind with a key batsman out of action and its tail order exposed.

OpenerTamim Iqbal, Bangladesh's most consistent performer in the two-test series, is unlikely to bat because of a broken thumb, leaving veteran Habibul Bahsar (21 not out) to lead the tourists' resistance.

Earlier, New Zealand took command of the match in an inconsistent innings which saw a mixture of authority and indiscipline.

Fleming was out for 87 - his 43rd half century in tests and 13 runs short of his 10th century - while Vettori fell for 94, only six runs from his third test century after compiling his 13th test 50.

Fleming had some small compensation in claiming a catch to dismiss Aftab Ahmed (5) during Bangladesh's declining second innings to move to second on the all-time list of test catches.

He tied Brian Lara at 164 catches during the Bangladesh first innings and moved to 165 with his catch Sunday, 17 behind all-time leader, Australian Mark Waugh on 181.

Bangladesh staggered when faced with New Zealand's heavy first innings lead Sunday, losing five quick wickets and showing little determination to stave off its sixth loss in six tests against New Zealand.

It lost the first test of this series by nine wickets at Dunedin, the first occasion in tests against New Zealand in which they have prevented an innings defeat.

After Fleming had revived the innings, which was in difficulty at 35 for two on Saturday, Vettori led a late-order charge which made New Zealand's lead substantial.

Fleming highlighted an unfortunate record, however, when he expanded one of the poorest conversion rates of 50s to 100s among world class batsmen. His record of 43 half centuries and nine centuries has become a small blemish on an impressive career.

Only two of Fleming's test centuries - one of which was against Bangladesh - have been made in New Zealand and none at the distinctive central city oval at which Fleming plays occasional first class matches for Wellington.

Fleming came to the wicket when New Zealand was 35 for two on Saturday, replying to Bangladesh's paltry first innings, and he ensured his team restored its authority in the match and series.

He put on 83 with Craig Cumming for the third wicket Saturday, then 96 in fourth wicket stand with Mathew Sinclair, which continued with New Zealand's resumption Sunday at 134 for three.

Sinclair battled an abject lack of form to make 47 and left Fleming at the crease, in command and with the innings largely revived, at 214-4.

Fleming's innings was far from chanceless and he managed to mix grace, fluidity and command with moments of recklessness and technical deficiency.

His innings allowed Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum to attack the Bangladesh bowlers around the introduction of the second new ball and both did so with gusto.

McCullum made 42 with four fours and two sixes and Vettori's 94 came from 87 balls with 17 fours.

New Zealand quickly got amongst the Bangladesh batsmen as they batted again and Shahrian Nafees, opening in place of Tamim, Zunaed Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed and Mushfiqur Rahim were all out before stumps.