Taylor marks Independence Day with records

HARARE (AFP) - Brendan Taylor recorded the highest Test score by a Zimbabwean captain and the eighth best by any Zimbabwean as Bangladesh's bowlers continued to toil on the second day of the first Test on Thursday.

Although Taylor was dismissed for 171 after an eight-hour stay at the crease, Zimbabwe went to tea on 377 for eight as Bangladesh struggled to wrap up the home side's obdurate tail.

On the day that Zimbabwe celebrated 33 years of independence, the small crowd who made their way to the ground witnessed Taylor surpassing the 156 which Andy Flower scored against Pakistan as captain here at the Harare Sports Club in 1995.

The 27-year-old began the day unbeaten on 105, and brushed off the early loss of Elton Chigumbura and Richmond Mutumbami to construct a century partnership with Graeme Cremer.

The pair put on 107 for the seventh wicket, with Taylor gradually increasing the scoring rate in the second session after another sluggish period before lunch.

Cremer finally fell for a career-best 42 from 140 deliveries when he was brilliantly caught at slip by Mahmudullah off the bowling of Sohag Gazi, and Taylor was out two deliveries later as he top-edged Enamul Haque Jr to the wicketkeeper.

However Keegan Meth and Shingirai Masakadza prolonged Bangladesh's stay in the field as they put on an unbroken partnership of 33 for the ninth wicket to further frustrate the tourists.

Meth went to tea on 19, while Masakadza had 14 to his name.