Rain holds up Kiwis

The weather that has hampered Bangladesh's first tour to New Zealand returned yesterday and prevented a ball from being bowled in the second Test.

The weather that has hampered Bangladesh's first tour to New Zealand returned yesterday and prevented a ball from being bowled in the second Test. The hosts were set to resume on 72 without loss in reply to Bangladesh's 132, but early showers forced a delayed start.

When the covers were eventually removed in the early afternoon the groundsmen discovered water had leaked on to both ends of the wicket. Workers, in an attempt to dry one end, used a hair dryer, but another shower at 4.30pm forced the abandonment of play.

Weather permitting, play on the third day is scheduled to start half an hour early, with Mark Richardson unbeaten on 38 and Matthew Horne on 30.