Kane Williamson scored 78 runs in his comeback from injury on Friday as New Zealand beat Bangladesh by eight wickets at the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Williamson played his first competitive match since April after a serious knee injury and reached his total off 107 deliveries as New Zealand made 248-2 to chase down Bangladesh’s 245-9 with ease.
It was the Black Caps’ third straight win at the tournament and put them atop the points table with six points, following victories over England and the Netherlands.
Photo: AFP
New Zealand had a new opening pair with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra starting together after the latter was picked ahead of Will Young, but Ravindra was out for just nine runs, caught behind off Mustafizur Rahman in the third over.
Williamson and Conway then added 80 runs off 105 balls for the second wicket. Conway outscored Williamson in the partnership, and overall made 45 off 59 balls, including three fours. He was out LBW to Shakib Al Hasan in the 21st over.
Daryl Mitchell joined Williamson and batted at a faster clip. Williamson reached his half-century off 81 balls before struggling with cramps and also took blows to his knee and left thumb, which put him in doubt for the next game.
Photo: AP
Williamson retired in the 39th over, with the score reading 200-2.
“It was a good team performance,” Williamson said. “We had to see through the new ball, but were able to build partnerships in the middle overs.”
Mitchell scored a half-century off 43 balls, and hit six fours as well as four sixes. He and Glenn Phillips (16 not out) scored a quick-fire 48 off 27 balls to finish off the game with 7.1 overs to spare.
Photo: AFP
Earlier, New Zealand’s pacers helped set up the win, sharing seven wickets among them. Lockie Ferguson led the way with 3-49 from 10 overs, while Trent Boult and Matt Henry took two wickets each.
Mushfiqur Rahim scored 66 runs off 75 balls for Bangladesh after his side were put into bat by New Zealand.
“Ferguson bowled really well and had some luck going his way,” Williamson said.
Mahmudullah scored 41 not out off 49 balls to push Bangladesh past 200.
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