Blackcaps vs. Bangladesh

Bangladesh are currently touring New Zealand, playing three ODIs and three T20 matches. One of the ODIs was played at Wellington’s Basin Reserve, so naturally I went along for a day’s cricketing action. Nicola, unfortunately, had to work, so I was on my tod.

It was another lovely sunny day for cricket, so I drove down and found a convenient parking space along Kent Terrace, five minutes’ walk from the ground. Where else in the world can you do that for a cricket international? I had a reserved seat high in the RA Vance Stand, but chose to sit instead in our usual seats below the stand, as this is more convenient for the side trips required for beer and food etc during the match. I was giving my cricket t-shirt its final outing for the year, which always elicits comments (front: I don’t like cricket; back: I ¤ it!).

The Blackcaps had decided to bat first; after making a good start, they stuttered somewhat, losing wickets while on 41 (Nicholls 18), 49 (Guptill 26), and 57(Taylor 7), before Devon Conway came in to steady the ship. He partnered Tom Latham for 63 runs, and then made a huge fifth wicket partnership with Daryl Mitchell – a record-setting 159 runs. Conway was out for 126 - his first century for New Zealand - but the work had been done, and the Blackcaps were looking comfortable at 279 with 16 balls to go. The only remaining question…could Daryl Mitchell, then on 76, make a ton? He certainly gave it a go, and walloped a six and three fours in the final overs. On 95 with four balls remaining, he ran a two, then a single, leaving Mitchell Santner facing the penultimate ball. All he needed to do was to run a single so that Mitchell (Daryl, not Santner) could face the final ball and make a century. He gave it a hard slog and it looked like it was heading for the boundary…but no, cut off by the fielders! They’d scampered two, and made a desperate lunge for a third. Fortunately assisted by a wayward throw from the boundary, they made it, and left Mitchell facing and needing two from the final ball. Again, some fast running saved the day and they made it back for two, Mitchell celebrating all the way with his first ODI century for New Zealand. All these shenanigans had pushed the score up to 318/6, setting a high target for the Bangladeshis...

Is that a cloud on the horizon? New Zealand at 75 for 3

...One that they were unable to conquer, unfortunately. They had a valiant effort, but they’re not in the same league as New Zealand. Despite some resistance from Mahmudullah in the middle order providing some entertainment with four sixes, the rest of the Bangladesh line-up weren’t up to the mark and only two others made double figures. Mahmudullah ran out of partners and ended unbeaten on 76; that well-known batsman, X Tras, was their fourth-highest scorer on 12, and they finally slumped to 154 all out after 42.4 overs. New Zealand won the series 3-0.

That run rate is getting away from Bangladesh

That’s it for international cricket this season in Wellington - the T20 matches are being played in Hamilton, Napier and Auckland over the next week. The White Ferns are playing Australia in April but no matches in Wellington – the weather’s a bit too iffy at this time of year, so all the matches are in north North Island. New Zealand then head to the UK for a test series against England before the inaugural Test World Final against India, to be played in England in June.