Broom sweeps aside Bangladesh
Neil Broom wanted to make a statement this week.
Whether it was yesterday or tomorrow, the final two matches of the one-day series against Bangladesh were two chances to prove he’s more than just a stopgap measure in the Black Caps middle order.
Broom, returning to the ODI arena after a six-year absence, wasn’t satisfied with his showing in game one at Hagley Oval on Monday, scoring 22. He knew he needed something more substantial if he was to extend his international career further than the current lifeline thrown by coach Mike Hesson.
That’s exactly what the 33-yearold did, hitting his maiden century to lead the Black Caps to a 67-run victory over Bangladesh, wrapping up the three-game series with a match to spare.
Broom’s career-high contribution of 109 not out off 107 balls was desperately needed as the rest of the batting order fell to Bangladesh’s much-improved bowling attack, captain Mashrafe Mortaza leading the way with 3-49 in a team performance that restricted New Zealand to a below-par score of 251.
Without his century and some cunning bowling by Kane Williamson, whose 3-22 is the best figures by a bowler at Saxton Oval, the Black Caps may have lost to Bangladesh at home for the first time.
Bangladesh made a promising start with the bat but imploded in the middle of their run chase, a series of quick wickets falling after a mixup between Sabbir Rahman (38) and Imrul Kayes (59) resulted in Sabbir’s dismissal.
Once Imrul, the only Bangladeshi batsman to post a total of any significance, departed, the game firmly shifted back in New Zealand’s favour.
Bangladesh eventually went for 184 – the lowest score recorded at the ground.
In New Zealand’s innings, Martin Guptill, Williamson, Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham and Colin Munro were all back in the pavilion early as Bangladesh made an ideal start.
Guptill was out lbw in the opening over, Mashrafe striking with the fourth ball after winning the toss and electing to bowl.
New Zealand appeared to be back on track with Williamson joining Latham at the fall of the first wicket.
The skipper was dropped on 13 in the eighth over by debutant Subashis Roy, edging the ball straight back to the bowler who got a hand on it. But he was unable to punish Bangladesh for the let-off and went for just 14 shortly after.
Latham was the next to go, unable to replicate his heroics from game one in Christchurch.
Neesham (28 off 31) needlessly gave away his wicket after bright beginning, stumped by wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan
Recalled wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi chipped in a solid cameo off 35 from 38 but would have been disappointed not to push on to a bigger total as he was easily caught by Tanbir at mid-wicket.
The rest of the New Zealand batsmen fell cheaply, Trent Boult’s vibrant run-a-ball score of 12 a vital contribution as he importantly stayed at the crease long enough for Broom to continue his free-scoring display to the end.
The series ends in Nelson tomorrow.