Latham ton leads Kiwis to crushing win

OPENER Tom Latham’s career best 137 set New Zealand up for a crushing 77-run victory over Bangladesh in their opening one-day international at Hagley Oval on Monday.

With Latham in commanding form and Colin Munro chiming in with a rollicking 87, New Zealand posted 341-7 and the Bangladesh innings closed at 264-9 with Mushfiqur Rahim retired hurt.

It was New Zealand’s highest score in 26 matches against Ba ng ladesh a nd L at ha m’s 158-r un sta nd wit h Munro was a New Zealand record for t he f if t h wicket aga inst t he tourists.

For New Zealand, it was the commanding per for mance t hey were look i ng for a f ter t hei r recent 3- 0 h id i ng by Austra lia.

But for Ba ng ladesh t here were few highlights to launch their New Zealand tour.

Thei r ta l isma n Sha k ib A l Hasan topped their bowling (3-69) a nd batt i ng (59) perfor mances, a nd Mosaddek Hossain was not out 50 at the end, h is maiden ODI ha l fcentur y.

Mushfiqur reached 42 before a hamstring strain ended his innings, but by then Bangladesh were 219-6 and the required run rate had ballooned out to 10.69.

But it was a lways going to be a big ask for Bangladesh a f ter L at ha m’s 137 of f 121 deliveries.

The left-hander had a nervewracking moment on seven when a Mashrafe Mortaza delivery sailed just over the off stumps but other wise he remained unflustered despite the inability of the top order to stay with him.

Martin Guptill (15), Kane Williamson (31), Neil Broom (22) and Jimmy Neesham (12) all failed to push on.

New Zealand were 158-4 when Munro joined Latham and proceeded to smack 87, his personal best, from 61 deliveries.

Ta mi m Iqba l a nd I mr u l Kayes made a solid sta rt for Bangladesh, pushing through to 34 in the eighth over before Kayes was t he f irst to be dismissed, for 16.

Steelers

With his dismissal, and the introduction of all-rounder Jimmy Neesham to the attack, New Zealand took control.

With his second delivery, Neesham removed Soumya Sarkar and two balls later the medium pacer had Mahmudullah caught behind without scoring and Bangladesh were 48-3 in the 11th over.

By the 18th over it was 81-4 when Neesham removed Tamim for 38.

Shakib offered resistance with 59 off 54 deliveries, and Mosaddek also batted better than a run-a-ball for his 50.

New Zea land bowler Neesham took figures of three for 36 and right-arm quick Lockie Ferg uson t hree for 54.

The second match i n t he ser ies i s set for Nelson on Thursday.