• Ross Taylor hits 82 as New Zealand win by two wickets
Bangladesh proved themselves the team that just won’t quit on Wednesday . A game that had felt at times like the afternoon session of a Test match sprang dramatically to life as the Oval floodlights came on, as the Tigers’ uncanny ability to build pressure in the field and throw experienced teams entirely off their game pushed a distinctly nervy New Zealand all the way. The scorecard records that the Kiwis made it with almost three overs to spare, but their sweat stains will tell a different story.
Chasing 244, their big-hitting batsmen never managed to impose themselves on Mashrafe Mortaza’s bowling attack, with a heady series of run-outs and near-misses constantly derailing their efforts. Even as Ross Taylor – playing in his 400th ODI – seemed to be shepherding his team to safety at 160 for two, the offspinner Mehidy Hasan struck twice in an over, removing the captain Kane Williamson for 40 and Tom Latham for a four-ball duck. Taylor himself survived a run-out chance on 70, only to tickle one to the wicketkeeper 12 runs later. New Zealand were 191-5.
Written by Emma John at the Oval
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jun/05/bangladesh-new-zealand-cricket-world-cup-match-report under the title “Cricket World Cup: New Zealand survive collapse to beat Bangladesh in thriller”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
