Latham’s ton leads Kiwis to easy win over B’desh

CHRISTCHURCH: Opener Tom Latham’s career best 137 set New Zealand up for a crushing 77-run victory over Bangladesh in their opening one-day international at Hagley Oval on Monday. With Latham in commanding form and Colin Munro chiming in with a rollicking 87, New Zealand posted 341-7 and the Bangladesh innings closed at 264-9 with Mushfiqur Rahim retired hurt. It was New Zealand’s highest score in 26 matches against Bangladesh and Latham’s 158-run stand with Munro was a New Zealand record for the fifth wicket against the tourists. For New Zealand, it was the commanding performance they were looking for after their recent 3-0 hiding by Australia. But for Bangladesh there were few highlights to launch their New Zealand tour. Their talisman Shakib Al Hasan topped their bowling (3-69) and batting (59) performances, and Mosaddek Hossain was not out 50 at the end, his maiden ODI half century. Mushfiqur reached 42 before a hamstring strain ended his innings, but by then Bangladesh were 219- 6 and the required run rate had ballooned out to 10.69. But it was always going to be a big ask for Bangladesh after Latham’s 137 off 121 deliveries. The lefthander had a nerve-wracking moment on seven when a Mashrafe Mortaza delivery sailed just over the off stumps but otherwise he remained unflustered despite the inability of the top order to stay with him. Martin Guptill (15), Kane Williamson (31), Neil Broom (22) and Jimmy Neesham (12) all failed to push on. New Zealand were 158-4 when Munro joined Latham and proceeded to smack 87, his personal best, from 61 deliveries. (AFP)