Opening stand a standout
NAPIER: Maybe it was the situation, maybe it was the opposition, or maybe it was simple probability. But maybe, just maybe, the Black Caps have solved one of their main problems for the Cricket World Cup.
Whatever the reason, the facts are the same — for the first time since 2017, the Black Caps produced a century partnership for the opening wicket of an ODI.
Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls led their side to an eightwicket win against Bangladesh last night, in just their second stab as New Zealand’s toporder combination.
Guptill (117 not out) and Nicholls (53) added 103 for the first wicket, impressively ending a streak of 16 ODIs where New Zealand had failed to put together an opening stand of more than 34.
Sure, they were not under much pressure. Chasing 233 at the relatively small confines of Napier’s McLean Park, Guptill and Nicholls could take their time to build an innings, with Nicholls at one stage scratching around on 19 off 42 balls.
Obviously, that would not be good enough if batting first, where they would have had to take a more aggressive approach in a quest for their desired total of at least 300. And while we are still yet to see that strategy pay off, after over a year of failure, finally the Black Caps can have some confidence in their opening stand going into the World Cup.
Perhaps that — boosting morale — is all this series is good for. The early signs are that Bangladesh will be much like Sri Lanka — there will be some promising moments, but ultimately they should not challenge unless something goes utterly wrong for the Black Caps.
If that sounds harsh, well, Bangladesh did not do much to inspire positivity. Matt Henry and Trent Boult again shone with the new ball as the visitor was reduced to first 42 for four, then 94 for six, and while Mohammad Mithun (62) and Mohammad Saifuddin (41) led it through to 232, its bowlers showed less resolve, with their best options being economical, rather than a threat to take wickets.
While the Black Caps’ inability to wrap up the innings — for a second straight ODI — might raise a slight concern, the form of Henry and Boult is an undoubted positive. As a newball partnership, Henry and Boult have now combined to take 17 wickets in the last three games, at an average of 12.5, and they got just enough help from Lockie Ferguson (two for 44) and Mitchell Santner (three for 45) to make the target simple enough for the batsmen.
Then, after struggling with the bat against India, the Black Caps would have been buoyed by how routine they made the chase. While Kane Williamson’s rough patch continued — now eight games in all formats without reaching 40 — Guptill ended his own poor form.
Having not passed 15 in his last six ODIs, Guptill looked at his best in reaching his 15th ODI century from 103 balls, and with Ross Taylor adding 45, the host cruised home with 33 balls to spare.
Bangladesh remains winless in New Zealand — now 011 — and if yesterday was any indication, there could be two more victories, and some muchneeded confidence, heading the Black Caps’ way. — NZME