How leads NZ to easy win
Thursday, 27 December 2007
Auckland, Dec 26 (Cricinfo): A patient 88 by opener Jamie How helped New Zealand ease to a comfortable six-wicket win against Bangladesh at Eden Park to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
After an express 97-run partnership between Mohammad Ashraful and Tamim Iqbal, it was all one-way traffic as the Bangladesh middle order came a cropper, and the target of 202 was barely enough to turn it into a contest.
The Bangladesh seamers could do no more than restrict the openers from blitzing away, but weren't able to prise out any early wickets.
Both How and Brendon McCullum paced their innings well and ensured New Zealand were ahead of the required rate, with rain around the corner.
How's innings wasn't studded with flashy boundaries but he kept rotating the strike.
Shahadat Hossain, searching for swing, tested How with yorker length deliveries which he managed to dig out. Normally strong on the on side, How wasn't always in control of his favourite pull stroke as a few swishes met with thin air.
When he did connect though, it was a treat to watch, especially when he swivelled and bludgeoned Shahadat Hossain over square leg.
McCullum meanwhile showed more intent by standing outside his crease to the seamers. Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak was brought on in the 11th over to plug the runs but McCullum had plans for him as well, using his feet to fetch two sixes.
McCullum looked set for a fifty but fell on 40, chipping the ball tamely back to Farhad Reza.
How brought up his fifth ODI half-century with a firm push off Reza to beat the diving mid-on.
The solid opening stand of 90 put New Zealand well on track, and gave No. 3 Peter Fulton, returning from injury, time to play a steady hand.
Fulton found the gentle pace of Reza to his liking, collecting two fours in successive overs. Bangladesh lacked spark in the field, exemplified by a misfield for four at long leg, despite two fielders converging on the ball.
A major factor which worked against them was the ineffectiveness of their spinners.
New Zealand 203 for 4 (How 88, McCullum 40, Shakib 3-56) beat Bangladesh 201 (Ashraful 70, Tamim 50, Gillespie, 3-27, Oram 3-36) by 6 wickets
After an express 97-run partnership between Mohammad Ashraful and Tamim Iqbal, it was all one-way traffic as the Bangladesh middle order came a cropper, and the target of 202 was barely enough to turn it into a contest.
The Bangladesh seamers could do no more than restrict the openers from blitzing away, but weren't able to prise out any early wickets.
Both How and Brendon McCullum paced their innings well and ensured New Zealand were ahead of the required rate, with rain around the corner.
How's innings wasn't studded with flashy boundaries but he kept rotating the strike.
Shahadat Hossain, searching for swing, tested How with yorker length deliveries which he managed to dig out. Normally strong on the on side, How wasn't always in control of his favourite pull stroke as a few swishes met with thin air.
When he did connect though, it was a treat to watch, especially when he swivelled and bludgeoned Shahadat Hossain over square leg.
McCullum meanwhile showed more intent by standing outside his crease to the seamers. Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak was brought on in the 11th over to plug the runs but McCullum had plans for him as well, using his feet to fetch two sixes.
McCullum looked set for a fifty but fell on 40, chipping the ball tamely back to Farhad Reza.
How brought up his fifth ODI half-century with a firm push off Reza to beat the diving mid-on.
The solid opening stand of 90 put New Zealand well on track, and gave No. 3 Peter Fulton, returning from injury, time to play a steady hand.
Fulton found the gentle pace of Reza to his liking, collecting two fours in successive overs. Bangladesh lacked spark in the field, exemplified by a misfield for four at long leg, despite two fielders converging on the ball.
A major factor which worked against them was the ineffectiveness of their spinners.
New Zealand 203 for 4 (How 88, McCullum 40, Shakib 3-56) beat Bangladesh 201 (Ashraful 70, Tamim 50, Gillespie, 3-27, Oram 3-36) by 6 wickets