Dunedin: Suzie Bates shined as New Zealand downed Bangladesh at the University Oval by nine wickets in their first-ever ODI meeting of ICC Women’s World Cup 2022.
Bates has represented New Zealand in 263 international matches, but the Women’s World Cup encounter against Bangladesh on Monday was the first time she had played an international match in her hometown of Dunedin. She eventually hit an unbeaten 79 off 68 balls to become the second New Zealander to reach 1000 runs in Women’s World Cups, and the fastest overall to do so, in 21 innings, surpassing Australia’s Belinda Clark, who did it in 22 knocks.
While rain wiped out over four hours of the game in the morning, limiting it to a 27-over-a-side match, the hosts made sure they didn’t have another setback after their loss to the West Indies in the tournament opener.
New Zealand beat Bangladesh by nine wickets! 👏
Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr steer the White Ferns to a comfortable win.#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/bkaJL0wVcn
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 7, 2022
The threat from Bangladesh’s bowlers threatened to end the match. New Zealand, on the other hand, benefited from the on-field umpires’ decision not to take the drinks interval, as they reached the mark with seven overs to spare.
After winning the toss, New Zealand fielded Bangladesh. The hitters from Bangladesh, on the other hand, failed to capitalise on a good opening partnership for the second match in a row, managing only 140 for 8 in 27 overs.
Fargana Hoque and Shamima gave them a 59-run start in just 56 balls, but New Zealand hit the brakes by adding spin, and Frances Mackay dismissed Shamima with her second ball.
In her first over, Amy Satterthwaite sent back Nigar Sultana and Rumana Ahmed to help the hosts clawback. The off-spin duo took 4 for 49 in their 11 overs together.
Hoque kept Bangladesh afloat with her 52 off 63 balls, but runs were hard to get by when the New Zealand seamers slowed down in their subsequent stints. Bangladesh was unable to defeat the hosts in the end. And New Zealand their maiden victory of this season’s World Cup tournament.
