Black Caps back in the hunt

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A solid batting effort and three late wickets has the Black Caps sensing an unlikely victory heading into the final day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Wellington.

Mitchell Santner produced the late heroics, clean bowling Tamim Iqbal for 25, before running out night-watchman Mehedi Hasan with the final act of day four, as the visitors slumped to 66-3 and a lead of just 122 runs.

Earlier opener Tom Latham kicked on to his highest Test score of 177 to help steer the hosts out of trouble on another good day for batting at the Basin Reserve.

The 25-year-old's 329 ball vigil lasted nearly eight hours and saw him strike 18 fours and a six. 

He was ably assisted by Canterbury teammate Henry Nicholls (53), with the pair putting on a record fourth wicket stand against Bangladesh of 142.

BJ Watling (49) and Mitchell Santner then combined for the fifth 50 plus run partnership of the innings as the follow on mark was passed.

Santner would blaze his way to 73, his highest Test score, in an innings which included two large straight sixes.

Neil Wagner (18) also played his shots and took on the short ball with mixed success. The left hander was struck on the helmet three times, but on each occasion passed the medical concussion test and was able to continue batting.

Wagner would get his own back later in the day by claiming the important wicket of Mahmudullah as part of of 3-16 period, as the Black Caps finished the day on a high.

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