Ian Bell hit a patient century to help England pile up 440-8 and take a narrow first innings lead against Bangladesh on the third day of the second Test Monday. Bell made 138, his 10th Test century, and was well supported by Tim Bresnan, who hit an unbeaten 74 as the pair shared a sixth-wicket stand of 143 before England eased past Bangladesh's first innings total of 419. Bresnan was fortunate not to be given out on five when Imrul Kayes caught what replays suggested was an inside edge off the bowling of Shakib Al Hasan. Bell then survived an lbw decision off the bowling of Abdur Razzak when on 82. Bangladesh missed another chance to dismiss Bell on 119, with Kayes dropping him at square leg off paceman Shafiul Islam. Bell was finally out going for a slog sweep against Shakib, only managing to sky the ball to mid wicket where Jahirul Islam completed the catch. Shakib then run out Graeme Swann for six before Mahmudullah had Stuart Broad lbw for three as the hosts finished the day with some kind of success. Bangladesh tasted early success on the third morning, Shakib bowling Jonathan Trott with the England opener failing to add to his overnight total of 64. Matt Prior joined Bell at the crease and survived a close lbw appeal off Rubel Hossain while on nine, but he regained focus and started padding the run rate after the Bangladeshi spinners had kept England on the back foot for the first hour. He completed his 50 with a boundary over mid-on off Mahmudullah, and smashed Shakib for two fours in the next over off successive balls before the left-arm spinner had his revenge. Shakib bowled Prior on 62, ending his 98-run partnership with Bell. Bangladesh trails England 1-0 in the two-Test series. McCullum, rain slow up Australia's victory push A combination of Wellington rain and good batting from Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori forced Australia to wait for its victory in the first Test. Only 52 overs were played on day four, with New Zealand moving from 187-5 in its second innings to 369-6 to lead by 67 against a frustrated Aussie unit. However a fair forecast for Tuesday suggests the tourists will have every chance to wrap up the win eventually. McCullum was unbeaten on 94 with Daryl Tuffey on 23 after Vettori had made 77. “There was some good fight shown and it's great to see,” said opener Tim McIntosh, whose 83 gave the New Zealanders a bright start. McCullum hit 11 boundaries and a six, which flew out of the ground in the severely windy conditions. The teams were buffeted throughout the day by gusts in excess of 75mph at the Basin Reserve. The weather played havoc with the technology required by the umpire decision review system, as the cameras used to track the ball and rule on no-balls were unable to provide accurate data in the windswept conditions. McCullum was the beneficiary early in the middle session when he did not offer a shot to a Nathan Hauritz ball that turned sharply and rapped him on the pads. Ricky Ponting called for the review but without accurate information, Asad Rauf's original not out decision could not be overturned. McCullum had only just brought up his half-century in the over prior. Scores: Australia 459-5 dec. vs. NZ 157 & 369-6.
