Persistent rain washes out third day of Christchurch Test

Incessant rain washed out the third day's play of the second and the final Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh being played at the Hagley Oval here on Sunday.

The umpires waited until the start of the evening session before calling off the play as the weather showed no sign of clearing up. Play will resume 30 minutes early on the remaining two days to make up for the lost time.

Earlier, Bangladesh finished the Day two of the series-deciding Test on a promising note as they reduced the hosts to 260-7 at stumps yesterday.

After losing opener Jeet Raval (16) cheaply, opener Tom Latham struck 11 boundaries in his knock of 68 runs besides sharing a crucial 106-run partnership with Ross Taylor (77) to strengthen his side's innings.

At the end of the second day's play, New Zealand were still trailing by 29 runs from first innings, with Henry Nicholls and Tim Southee remaining unbeaten at 56 and four, respectively.

For Bangladesh, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan scalped three quick wickets of Mitchell Santner (29), BJ Watling (1) and Colin de Grandhomme (0), thereby dismissing three wickets for just four runs.

Besides Shakib, Kamrul Islam Rabbi picked up two wickets while Taskin Ahmed and Mehedi Hasan Miraz also chipped in with a wicket each.

New Zealand are currently leading 1-0 in the two-match series following their seven-wicket win in the opening Test in Wellington.