Ferguson, Mitchell, Williamson all star in Blackcaps win over Bangladesh

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Bangladesh: Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat in their third game of the Cricket World Cup against Bangladesh in Chennai. Strong bowling performances from Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner restricted Bangladesh to a total of 245/9 before Devon Conway, Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell all starred with the bat.

Bangladesh had a horrible start to the game with Litton Das being caught in the deep by Matt Henry off Trent Boult’s first ball of the innings. Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz now had the job of trying to get the Bangladesh innings back on track. They did do this, taking Boult and Henry and for around 5 to 6 runs per over. Their partnership did end shortly after though, with Lockie Ferguson striking in his first over, getting Tamim to chip one to Devon Conway, who took a good diving catch to remove him for 16.

Ferguson then worked his magic again and struck a few overs later, taking the key wicket of Hasan Miraz for an alright contribution of 30 from 46, which did see Bangladesh through the power play. Glenn Phillips was then brought into the attack the next over and struck on his first ball to remove Shanto for 7. Bangladesh were left in a horrible position at 57/4. Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim were now tasked with getting Bangladesh to a compatible score.

The pair did just this, in combining for a 96 run partnership, Throughout this, they had some good shots and also did attack the New Zealand bowlers on the odd occasion. Just when it looked like they were going to get Bangladesh back to the way they would have wanted, Ferguson once again came back to the bowling crease and had Al Hasan caught behind for 40 from 51.

Mushfiqur didn’t last much longer as Matt Henry bowled him for a well made 66. This now left Hridoy and Mahmudullah with a bit of work to do, Bangladesh sitting at 175/6. Hridoy however was removed only two overs later for 13, and the runs were now having to come from Mahmudullah.

Taskin Ahmed worked well with Mahmudullah combining for a 44 run partnership but Taskin was removed by Santner for 17.

The Kiwis picked up the wicket of Mustafizur with 2 overs to go, but they didn’t pick up any more wickets and Bangladesh finished on 245/9.

Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra were tasked with the job of opening the batting, but Ravindra fell for 9 in the third over, having earlier hit two fours that over.

Conway and Williamson worked well with the bat for 17 overs, before Conway was dismissed for 45 from 49. This left New Zealand at 92/2 and the Kiwis needed Williamson and Daryl Mitchell needed to score a few runs.

They did just this for 28 overs and New Zealand sitting on 198/2 at the end of the 38th over, but then the drama occurred with Williamson retiring hurt for 78, after being hit on the finger with the ball. This brought Phillips to the crease and he and Mitchell saw the Kiwis home with 7 overs to go. Mitchell ended on 89* and Phillips on 16*.