New Zealand go top as they edge out Bangladesh in thrilling finish at Oval
New Zealand beat Bangladesh by two wickets after a thrilling end to their World Cup daynight match at The Oval.
Set 245 to win, Ross Taylor hit 82 off 91 balls and shared a 105- run partnership with Kane Williamson for New Zealand who were cruising at 218 for five in the 43rd over, but the loss in consecutive overs of all-rounders Colin de Grandhomme and Jimmy Neesham left tailenders Mitchell Santn er and Matt Henry at the crease, both on 0.
With the pro -Bangladeshi crowd whipped up by their team suddenly back in the hunt, any hint of a wicket was wildly cheered.
S ant ne rand Henry got off the mark with singles and combined for 20 runs in less than three overs. Then Henry was bowled for six with New Zealand needing seven to win with two wickets left.
Santner and Lockie Ferguson held their nerve, and the end came in a rush thanks to two wides, a Ferguson tickle to the third man boundary, and aS ant ne r boundary through the covers to complete the victory with 17 balls to spare.
New Zealand’s second win from two matches puts them at the top of the standings.
Bangladesh is packed The Oval in hope sofa double celebration beside E ida l-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ram ad an, but they had little to cheer in the first half of the match as Bangladesh were bowled out for 244 inside 50 overs, put in on a fresh pitch which was slower than expected.
The top five bats men all made starts but invariably got themselves out under pressure to escape New Zealand’s grip.
Shakib Al Hasan, the third Bangladeshi to play 200 ODIS, top scored with 64.
The New Zealand battery, backed up by smart fielding, was disciplined and Henry returned four for 47. Trent Boult earned a pair, while Ferguson, de Grandhomme and Santner bagged one each.
Santn er, the slow leftarmer, was unhittable through the middle overs, not conceding a boundary until his ninth over, and the only six of the match in his tenth.