There’s little that a gap of 47 days from international cricket did to the Test match form of Devon Conway and he brought up yet another century to make it New Zealand’s day on the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Mount Maunganui.
He missed the tour of India after breaking his thumb while punching his bat after a soft dismissal against England in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup and Conway batted like a man on a mission and hit another century in the format. He now has one double century, one century and two double centuries in his four-game long Test career.
On the day when the Blackcaps were without their regular skipper and potent number three in Kane Williamson and found themselves in trouble after the departure of Tom Latham, he went on to establish his supremacy and command at the top of the order.
Left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam heard the big call from his skipper Mominul Haque, who won the toss and elected to bowl first in seaming condition and produced a big wicket in the form of Latham. Latham was drawn into driving a fullish delivery and the inside edge was snaffled up one-handed by Liton Das diving to his left.
Following his departure, the next in line after Conway on the list of emerging New Zealand players, Will Young made the best use of the opportunity. He was extremely patient against the new ball but flourished once Bangladesh lost their patience and accuracy.
Conway carried on his merry way and brought his century in partnerships with Young and Ross Taylor, who has already announced retirement after the series against Bangladesh.
Conway stitched a 138-run partnership with Young and followed it up with another 50-run partnership with Taylor to take New Zealand into a dominant position.
However, Bangladesh were never out of the reckoning and their bowlers kept chipping at wickets. Shoriful returned with a big wicket of Taylor to keep things in control for the tourists.
Ebadot Hossain got the important wicket of Tom Blundell towards the end of the day to make it an impressive outing for the tourists.
New Zealand have gone ahead through the century of Conway and half-century from Young but Bangladesh would not be disappointed having taken five wickets by the end of the first day.