Cairns leads NZ to innings victory

Chris Cairns snapped up five wickets for two runs on the fifth morning to lead New Zealand to victory over Bangladesh by an innings and 52 runs in the first Test on Saturday.

All-rounder Cairns finished with figures of seven for 53 as Bangladesh, following on, collapsed to 108 all out in their second innings.

Mohammad Al-Sahariar resumed on 53 but fell to the first ball he faced on the final day, offering a simple catch to wicketkeeper Adam Parore off Cairns.

Cairns's seven wickets were the result of some sublime seam bowling as the tourists crumbled from 90 for four overnight.

New Zealand, who declared their first innings at 365 for nine after the first two days were washed out by rain, enforced the follow-on when Bangladesh were bowled out for 205.

Cairns had a serious knee operation earlier this year and did not bowl a ball in anger until the tour of Australia in November.

He appeared to struggle at times in Australia but did pick up a five-wicket haul in the first Test in Brisbane.

"I thought I'd be able to bowl just the same after the operation but it was plain that I couldn't," said Cairns.

"I lost my rhythm and things just weren't right but today things seemed to click and it was a great feeling."

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said the pivotal wicket was that of Aminul Islam for a duck.

Islam was deceived by Cairns's slower ball and played back expecting it to bounce, but it kept low and bowled him.

"Once he got that slower ball working, I knew he was back to his best," Fleming said.

Fleming had some complimentary things to say about the opposition, particularly their positive approach, but Bangladesh coach Trevor Chappell was not quite so generous.

"They were bloody pathetic," said the Australian. "They just surrendered. They had no guts and it's bloody heart-breaking.

"Our aim was to get to 300, which was going to be difficult, or at least make them [New Zealand] bat again.

"But they got out to balls they didn't need to play. We batted reasonably well in the first innings but today it was dreadful."

After top scorer Al-Sahariar went for 53 it was a procession as the last six Bangladesh wickets tumbled for 18 runs.

The second Test in Wellington begins on December 26.

Related reports:
Day 4: Bangladesh battling to save Test
Day 3: McMillan in top form at Hamilton
Day 2: Another washout in NZ-Bangladesh Test

Mail Cricket Editor