Review | CWC 22 | M#5 – NZ v BAN | Suzie Bates' special homecoming


Written By: Ritwika Dhar
Date: 07-03-2022

Picture Courtesy: Getty Images

New Zealand registered a dominant victory over the first-timers Bangladesh. But the headline or scorecard might not tell you the actual story. After narrowly losing to West Indies in the tournament opener, they were desperate to pick up 2 points from this game. But rain at Dunedin played a spoilsport at the beginning and the match was reduced to 27 overs per side. 

Bangladeshi openers rattled the Kiwi pace attack

In overcast and muggy conditions, New Zealand opted to bowl first to make use of the pace-friendly conditions. But the opening pacers Tahuhu and Jess Kerr bowled waywardly. Bangladeshi batters pounced on every short ball they bowled and pulled them away to the fence. Openers Shamima Sultana and Fargana Hoque got them off to a flier as 41 runs came in just 5 overs. The opening stand was 59 runs in 9.2 overs before Shamima got out on 33 (36). Hoque continued to lay a strong platform for the upcoming batters. She went on to score Bangladesh's maiden World Cup half-century. 

Spinners pulled things back

Sophie Devine had to change the tactics and handed over the ball to the spinners to drag things back. And they delivered immediately. Satterthwaite led New Zealand’s resurgence. She took 3-25 in her 5 overs. Whereas, Frankie Mackay chipped in with her trademark runouts. Hoque came down the track, pushed one back to Mackay who was quick to collect the ball, and threw to nail the stumps at the striker's end to catch Hoque short for 52 (63). Eventually, the Kiwi spinners were able to restrict them in 140-8.    

Bangladeshi bowlers couldn’t trouble the local hero Bates

Suzie Bates came out to open the innings with her skipper Devine. Bates was playing her 1st ODI in front of her home crowd with her friends and family in attendance.  Salma Khatun struck in the 7th over by bowling Devine who looked to pull a delivery that was not so short. The Bangladesh bowlers couldn't put up much of a challenge later on. With her 79* (68), Bates reached the 1,000 World Cup runs mark as well and became the 6th player to do so. She found an able company in Amelia Kerr who finished things off with a glorious boundary and New Zealand chased down 141 in 20 overs. 

It was a complete performance by the New Zealanders. But mind you, this was the first time that Bangladesh were up against New Zealand in the ODIs. Though they picked up only 1 wicket in the 2nd innings, they fielded very tightly and didn't give any freebies. They managed to save plenty of runs and rarely erred in what were difficult conditions to be on the field. It was cold which is something that the Bangla players are not used to, and it was wet which posed a massive challenge for the fielders.

From bowling South Africa all-out to throwing up a challenge with the bat against the Kiwis, Bangladesh have performed bravely and put up a statement to World Cricket that they are here to stay. In the next cycle of the ICC ODI Championship, they will get the opportunity to rub their shoulders with all big teams which will help them to grow as a team immensely. 

Brief Scorecard: 

Bangladesh: 140/8 (27) F. Hoque 52 (63), S. Sultana 33 (36); A. Satterthwaite 3/25 (5), F. Mackay 1/24 (6)
New Zealand: 144/1 (20) S. Bates 79* (68), A. Kerr 47* (37); S. Khatun 1/34 (4)   


Review | CWC 22 | M#5 – NZ v BAN | Suzie Bates' special homecoming


Written By: Ritwika Dhar
Date: 07-03-2022

Picture Courtesy: Getty Images

New Zealand registered a dominant victory over the first-timers Bangladesh. But the headline or scorecard might not tell you the actual story. After narrowly losing to West Indies in the tournament opener, they were desperate to pick up 2 points from this game. But rain at Dunedin played a spoilsport at the beginning and the match was reduced to 27 overs per side. 

Bangladeshi openers rattled the Kiwi pace attack

In overcast and muggy conditions, New Zealand opted to bowl first to make use of the pace-friendly conditions. But the opening pacers Tahuhu and Jess Kerr bowled waywardly. Bangladeshi batters pounced on every short ball they bowled and pulled them away to the fence. Openers Shamima Sultana and Fargana Hoque got them off to a flier as 41 runs came in just 5 overs. The opening stand was 59 runs in 9.2 overs before Shamima got out on 33 (36). Hoque continued to lay a strong platform for the upcoming batters. She went on to score Bangladesh's maiden World Cup half-century. 

Spinners pulled things back

Sophie Devine had to change the tactics and handed over the ball to the spinners to drag things back. And they delivered immediately. Satterthwaite led New Zealand’s resurgence. She took 3-25 in her 5 overs. Whereas, Frankie Mackay chipped in with her trademark runouts. Hoque came down the track, pushed one back to Mackay who was quick to collect the ball, and threw to nail the stumps at the striker's end to catch Hoque short for 52 (63). Eventually, the Kiwi spinners were able to restrict them in 140-8.    

Bangladeshi bowlers couldn’t trouble the local hero Bates

Suzie Bates came out to open the innings with her skipper Devine. Bates was playing her 1st ODI in front of her home crowd with her friends and family in attendance.  Salma Khatun struck in the 7th over by bowling Devine who looked to pull a delivery that was not so short. The Bangladesh bowlers couldn't put up much of a challenge later on. With her 79* (68), Bates reached the 1,000 World Cup runs mark as well and became the 6th player to do so. She found an able company in Amelia Kerr who finished things off with a glorious boundary and New Zealand chased down 141 in 20 overs. 

It was a complete performance by the New Zealanders. But mind you, this was the first time that Bangladesh were up against New Zealand in the ODIs. Though they picked up only 1 wicket in the 2nd innings, they fielded very tightly and didn't give any freebies. They managed to save plenty of runs and rarely erred in what were difficult conditions to be on the field. It was cold which is something that the Bangla players are not used to, and it was wet which posed a massive challenge for the fielders.

From bowling South Africa all-out to throwing up a challenge with the bat against the Kiwis, Bangladesh have performed bravely and put up a statement to World Cricket that they are here to stay. In the next cycle of the ICC ODI Championship, they will get the opportunity to rub their shoulders with all big teams which will help them to grow as a team immensely. 

Brief Scorecard: 

Bangladesh: 140/8 (27) F. Hoque 52 (63), S. Sultana 33 (36); A. Satterthwaite 3/25 (5), F. Mackay 1/24 (6)
New Zealand: 144/1 (20) S. Bates 79* (68), A. Kerr 47* (37); S. Khatun 1/34 (4)