Dunedin: Tim Southee snared a six-wicket haul and Ross Taylor tore up the record books as New Zealand dominated Bangladesh to seal a 3-0 series whitewash with an 88-run victory in the final one-day international in Dunedin here, Wednesday.
Sabbir Rahman’s gallant maiden ODI century saved Bangladesh from total humilation after they lost three wickets with just two runs on the board chasing New Zealand’s imposing target of 331.
The tourists were 242 all out in 47.2 overs after the Black Caps were sent into bat and made 330 for six at University Oval.
It was New Zealand’s last outing before the Cricket World Cup and players were desperate to impress coach Gary Stead even though the fixture was a dead rubber.
Pacer Southee, overlooked in New Zealand’s past six ODIs, took six for 65 to almost certainly cement his place in the squad for the tournament.
Henry Nicholls looks to have secured an opening batting slot with a sparkling 64, but out-of-form rival Colin Munro was dismissed for eight.
Ross Taylor became New Zealand’s highest-scoring one-day international batsman as his 69 off 81 balls took him past 8,000 runs in the 50-over format.
His 47th ODI half-century saw Taylor reach 8,026 runs, overtaking Stephen Fleming’s previous record of 8,007.
The 34-year-old, who made his ODI debut in 2006, reached his milestone in 203 innings with a superb average of 48.34.
“If you play long enough I guess these records come along but it’s nice to set the bar for the next guy,” said Taylor.
“I’m still enjoying myself and hopefully I’ve still got a few years in me.”
Bangladesh made a horror start to the run chase when Southee claimed a trio of top-order wickets in his opening two overs to leave the visitors reeling on two for three.
The run rate slowed to a crawl after Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad departed, each caught by Munro after offering rash shots in pursuit of quick runs.
Resistance finally came in the form of Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin, who made 44 in a 101-run partnership that added some respectability to the scoreboard.
Captain Mashrafe Mortaza said Rahman’s plucky 102 was one of the highlights of a tough series.
“It’s disappointing but we have to come back stronger,” he said.
AFP