Black Caps make tough work of a small run chase in thrilling World Cup finish at The Oval
Match Report:
ScorecardNew Zealand survive late scare to tame Tigers
New Zealand survived a dramatic late fightback by Bangladesh to pull off a nervy two-wicket win in their World Cup clash at The Oval.
Man-of-the-match Ross Taylor scored a 91-ball 82 before a clatter of wickets gave Bangladesh the chance to pull off a shock win.
It needed a 20-run eighth-wicket stand between Mitchell Santner (17 not out) and Matt Henry (six) to bring the target down to seven required in a highly tense atmosphere.
Lockie Ferguson (4 not out) and Santner then hit a boundary each to seal the win.
Image Id: FFDB8BC5377B41C99E7E52D694678DB1 Image Caption: A bespectacled Mitchell Santner hit the winning runs // Getty"It's very nice to get across the line," said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. "We still knew that 250 could be quite challenging.
"It wasn't our most clinical effort with the bat. There were a few soft dismissals that we'd want to address. But it's a great experience to have in tournament cricket."
Paceman Mohammad Saifuddin (2-41) and spinner Mosaddek Hossain (2-33) had given Bangladesh a glimmer of hope after New Zealand were seemingly cruising towards a comfortable win.
Image Id: 39AA83E1D803471DAF00994F42053728 Image Caption: Bangladesh's spinners led a late fightback // GettyNew Zealand slumped from 2-160 to 7-218, with off-spinner Mehidy Hasan dismissing Williamson (40) and Tom Latham (0) in the same over before Hossain accounted for Jimmy Neesham (25).
The win is New Zealand's second victory after their crushing 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, with the team hungry for a first-ever World Cup triumph.
Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan did his best to mark his 200th one-day-international appearance in style, but his polished 64 and two wickets wasn't enough.
Image Id: E04070B510B347959723122D2CAEC081 Image Caption: Shakib's dismissal for 64 was crucial // GettyShakib removed Black Caps' openers Martin Guptill (25) and Colin Munro (24) before Taylor and Williamson steadied the innings during their 105-run stand for the third wicket.
The pivotal moment in the match came after Shakib's early double strike; New Zealand were 2-61 when a mix-up between Taylor and Williamson saw the skipper struggling to make his ground at the wicketkeeper's end. But in an attempt to catch the throw and complete the run out, gloveman Mushfiqur broke the stumps with his arms and Williamson was given a life.
Image Id: 7181ADAB1E3749DF8428981542515E2F Image Caption: Williamson should have been out for eight // GettyBangladesh, sent in to bat, lost their last six wickets for just 65 runs.
Paceman Henry finished with figures of 4-47 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 244 in the final over.
Shakib, cheered on by a large contingent of Bangladeshi supporters, scored his 64 off 68 balls but too many of his teammates failed to capitalise on good starts.
Once he was caught by wicketkeeper Latham off the bowling of Colin de Grandhomme in the 31st over, the Bangladesh batsmen lost their way.
Tail-ender Saifuddin hit a 23-ball 29 with a six and three boundaries before Henry and Trent Boult (2-44) mopped up the tail.
Image Id: CA7EF3C2C7AB49D2B4521D51D9ECDF00 Image Caption: Mushfiqur was run out after a mix-up with Shakib // Getty"It was a good wicket, we were 20 or 30 short," said Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza.
"The outfield was slow. We got set and then got out too often. We couldn't make a good partnership in the middle.
"At the end it was a tight match. To win matches you have to get wickets. They closed it professionally - credit to them."
2019 World Cup
Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets
June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge
June 9: India v Australia, The Oval
June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton
June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval
June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge
June 25: England v Australia, Lord's
June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)
July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)
July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford
July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston
July 14: Final, Lord's
Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE
For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE