Kiwis recover after shaky start

Unbeaten half-centuries from Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum help the hosts recover after Rubel Hossain chips away early wickets.

New Zealand will target a total of 400-plus when play resumes on day two of their one-off Test against Bangladesh in Hamilton. At 158 for five midway through a rain-delayed opening day at Seddon Park that score would have seemed somewhat optimistic after Rubel Hossain had ripped through the top order. But thanks to unbeaten half-centuries from Martin Guptill (80 not out) and Brendon McCullum (58 n.o), New Zealand had reached 258 for five when bad light ended play early. "We'll be looking for 400-450," said Peter Ingram, who made an assured 42 on Test debut. "The boys will be going out there doing their routines and processes the best they can to try and achieve that.

"There's a positive feeling in the camp. We talked about more guys needing to go on. Hopefully the boys do that tomorrow and put Bangladesh under pressure." After Bangladesh won the toss and inserted the hosts Rubel claimed the wickets of Bradley-John Watling (13), Ingram and dangerman Ross Taylor (40) to leave New Zealand at 126 for four after Shafiul Islam got the early breakthrough when he had opener Tim McIntosh caught behind by Imrul Kayes. "We all got starts and more guys need to go and make big scores which hopefully Guppy (Guptill) and Baz (McCullum) do tomorrow," Ingram said. "Rubel bowled some good heat and you've got to be on top of your game every ball." The 31-year-old right-hander, who hit five fours and a six in his 47-ball knock, admitted his dismissal had been the result of poor decision-making after trying to pull Rubel and only succeeding in skying it to Shahadat Hossain at mid on.

"I'm happy with the way I played until the shot I played when I got out," he said. "It was a bad decision and bad execution. I felt like I hit balls that were there to be hit and played well until I made a bad decision and I got out. "The wicket is a nice easy pace and good to bat on. I'm pretty gutted I threw it away really." * PA Sport

New Zealand: Tim McIntosh c I Kayes b S Islam 7 Bradley-John Watling c J Siddique b R Hossain 13 Peter Ingramc S Hossain b R Hossain 42 Ross Taylor c M Rahim b R Hossain 40 Martin Guptill batting 80 Daniel Vettori b S Al Hasan 10 Brendon McCullum batting 58 Extras: (1b, 2lb, 3w, 2nb) 8 Total (for 5 wickets, 68.1 overs) 258 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-57, 3-66, 4-126, 5-158 Bowling: Shahadat Hossain 13.1-1-74-0 Shafiul Islam 16-1-54-1 (2w) Rubel Hossain 16-0-86-3 (2nb, 1w) Shakib Al Hasan 20-5-34-1 Aftab Ahmed 2-0-4-0 Mahmudullah 1-0-3-0