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After beaten by West Indies in the Women's World Cup 2022 opener, hosts New Zealand returned to winning ways as they blitz Bangladesh by nine wickets riding on Suzie Bates' breathless knock of 79 on Monday (March 7).
In a rain curtailed match, the White Ferns chased down the lowly target of 141 in mere 20 overs as Bates pummelled eight fours in her unbeaten 68-ball knock while Amelia Kerr towered with an unbeaten 47 off 37 which was loaded with five boundaries. Both the batters guided New Zealand to a comfortable nine-wicket win with 42 balls to spare. However, captain Sophie Devine was sent to the pavilion cheaply at 14 off 16.
The match was reduced to 27-overs a side as Bangladesh grinded it out hard to put a competitive total on board for the hosts to chase. Openers Fargana Hoque (52) and Shamima Sultana (33) gave Bangladesh, who lost against South Africa in their campaign opener, a bright start.With the five-over power play complete, Bangladesh looked to be racing to a competitive total on 41 for no loss.
But the opening partnership was put to an end by spin all-rounder Frances Mackay (1/24). The 31-year-old right-arm off-spinner than went on to effect half-centurian Hoque's run out in the 15th over. After that it was an Amy Satterthwaite (3/25) show as the veteran all-rounder bowled a crucial spell, taking three wickets from five overs. Bangladesh couldn't recover from the loss of their openers as only two more batters reached double digit scores. The Nigar Sultana-led side crumbled under the pressure, slipping to 81 for three after 15 overs, their positive start undone by losing three wickets for 21 runs.
Ritu Moni (4) could not make her usual cameo as Devine pouched the catch that gave Satterthwaite her 50th wicket in ODI cricket. With the feat she joins an illustrious group to have made 3,000 runs and taken 50 wickets in one-day internationals, including the likes of Charlotte Edwards, Karen Rolton and Stafanie Taylor.
Earlier, New Zealand suffered a heart-breaking three-run loss to the West Indies in their opening game on Friday. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, who faced their back to back defeat, were beaten by South Africa by 32 runs in their opener.
